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.ORDER  STATES  OF  MEXICO: 

SONORA,  SlNALOA,  CHIHUAHtTA 
AND  DURANGO. 

With  a  General   Sketch   of  the   Republic   of  Mexico,  and  Lower  California, 
Coahuila,  New   Leon   and   Tamaulipas. 


A  COMPLETE  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  BEST  REGIONS 

FOR    THE 

Settler,  Miner  and  the  Advance  Guard 
of  American  Civilization. 

The  Mining  Districts   and   Mines,   the   Agricultural  and  Grazing 
Regions,  Cities  and  Towns,  Location  and  Distances  and  Prin- 
cipal Business  Men,  Factories,  etc.,  Exports,  Imports  and 
Productions  ;    to  which  are  added,  Resources  of 
Mexico,  Duties,  the  Trade  with  Mexico,  How 
TO  acquire  Property  in  Mexico,  Rail- 
roads AND  Traveling  in  the 
Republic, 

Collected  from  all  the  Works  extant  on  Mexico,  and  Reports  of  Travelers,  Official  RecordSi 

and  Reports  of  Mining  Experts  and  Old  Residents,  with  Information 

up  to  date ;    the   whole  making 

A     Complete    Guide 

FOR 

TRAVELERS  AND   EMIGRANTS. 


BY 

LEONIDAS    HAMILTON. 


THIRD    EDITION: 
REVISED   AND   ENLARGED. 

CHICAGO.   1882. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1881,  by 

LEONIDAS    HAMILTON, 

In  the  OfBce  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  O. 


1X15 

-       Hl3ir 

Introduction 


Believing  that  a  more  complete  description  of  the  northern  part  of  our  sister 
Republic  will  conduce  to  the  advancement  of  the  mutual  interests  of  the  United 
States  and  Mexico,  the  author  submits  the  result  of  careful  inrestigation  of  the 
four  northern  states  of  Mexico  to  the  public.  We  respectfully  acknowledge  our 
indebtedness  to  Ex-Governor  Monteverde,  of  Sonora,  and  Benjamin  R.  Rountree, 
John  A.  Robinson,  Don  (yeledonio  Ortiz,  L.  Gilson,  and  I.  Thannhauser,  of  this 
city,  and  E.  C.  Hoffman,  of  San  Jose,  and  many  others,  for  much  of  the  informa- 
tion contained  in  the  following  pages.  We  have  alco  availed  ourselves  of  the 
valuable  and  almost  inaccessible  work  of  Mr.  Ward  on  "Mexico  in  1827,"  from 
which  we  have  taken  everything  of  interest  applicable  to  the  subject-matter;  and 
the  valuable  work  of  Mr.  Mowry  on  Sonora  and  Arizona,  and  the  impartial  Span- 
ish work  of  Francisco  Velasco  on  Sonora,  and  translated  into  English  by  Mr.  Wm. 
F.  Nye,  in  this  city,  in  1861,  and  the  work  entitled  "Travels  on  the  Western 
Slope  of  the  Mexican  Cordillera,"  by  Cincinnatus,  and  Mr  Ruxton's  work  on  "Ad- 
ventures in  Mexico,"  and  the  late  work  of  Antonio  Garcia  Cubas  on  "The  Repub- 
lic of  Mexico  in  1876,"  translated  by  Mr.  Geo.  E.  Henderson,  in  Mexico,  and 
official  records  and  papers,  and  numerous  other  works,  including  pamphlets  both 
in  the  English  and  Spanish  languages.  We  have  also  been  rendered  valuable 
assistance  by  the  Mexican  Consul  and  the  Honorable  Ex-Judge  of  the  Supreme 
Tribunal  of  Sinaloa  and  Lower  California,  Carlos  F.  Galan,  now  practicing  law  in 
this  city,  and  many  other  American  and  Spanish  gentlemen,  who  have  kindly  ren- 
dered us  every  assistance  in  their  power. 

We  have  endeavored  to  give  only  the  facts  as  we  find  them,  without  unnecessary 
embellishments  or  fancilul  description;  the  object  being  to  make  the  contents  of 
value  for  reference  as  well  as  interesting  to  persons  desiring  to  travel  through  or 
emigrate  to  those  portions  of  Mexico  to  which  we  have  given  our  attention,  for 
the  purpose  of  engaging  in  mining,  agriculture,  or  stock-raising ;  or  for  persons 
desiring  to  make  profitable  investments  in  those  four  states.  We  have  availed 
ourselves  of  every  data  that  we  could  obtain,  in  order  to  give  a  complete  descrip- 
tion, together  with  routes  of  travel  and  distances,  cities  and  towns,  the  principal 
business  men,  the  resources  of  Mexico,  etc.  We  have  also  included,  in  a  con- 
densed form,  a  general  view  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  and  the  territory  of  Lower 
California,  and  the  border  states  of  Coahuila,  New  Leon,  and  Tamaulipas.  In 
addition,  we  have  referred  to  the  most  important  land  laws  restricting  American 
citizens  from  acquiring  real  estate  in  any  of  the  border  states. 

With  the  good,  opportunities  offered  in  those  states,  we  have  also  attempted  to 
point  out  the  unfavorable  features,  in  order  to  give  an  impartial  work  to  the  pub- 
lic. We  have  necessarily  been  compelled  to  condense  much  of  our  information, 
in  order  to  bring  the  work  within  the  reach  of  all,  and  at  the  same  time  give  the 
most  important  data  to  the  public.  In  some  instances,  we  have  found  it  exceed- 
ingly difficult  to  give  as  complete  information  as  we  desired,  and  we  have,  there- 
fore, been  careful  to  state  positively  only  those  facts  that  could  be  verified. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

The  Author. 

San  Francisco,  1881. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Introduction 3 

Physical  Features  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico 7 

Political  Divisions  and  Population  of  Mexico 7 

National  AND  State  Governments 8 

Education,  Colleges,  Libraries,  Museums,  Fine  Arts, 

Etc 11 

Resources  OP  Mexico 13 

Lower  California 16 

Climate  of  the  Table  Lands  op  the  Northern  Part 

OF  Mexico , 17 

Sonora  

Boundaries  and  general  description;   climate  and 

productions 19 

Guaymas — location,  harbor,  streets,  public  build- 
ings, plaza,  principal  business  men,  mint,  dis- 
tances, Sonora  Railroad,  population,  importance 
of  Guaymas,  commerce.  Alamos,  Altar,  stage 

connections  27 

Hermosillo — Cerro  de  la  Campana,  aqeduct,  vine- 
yards and  orchards,  public  buildings,  hotels, 
beautiful  plaza,  ladies  celebrated  for  their 
beauty  and  fecundity,  Paris  fashions,  business 
houses,  haciendas,  water  and  wood  in  abundance, 
factories,  mints  leased,  stage  lines,  Sonora  Rail- 
road        31 

Ures — capital,  picturesque  environs,  alameda,  ele- 
gant residences,  comme'rcial  houses,  haciendas. 

Las  Delicias,  scorpions 36 

Santa  Cruz — beautiful  valley,  haciendas,  Santa 
Cruz  River,  Spanish  explorers,  Tumacori,  fertile 

lands 37 

Bacuachi — rich  mineral  region,  climate,  ete.,  Fron- 
teras,  Bapispe,  Bapepito  River,  Arispe,  hacienda 
of  Las  Dehcias,  Sonora  River,  Moctezuma,  Sa- 
huaripa  roads,  etc..  River  Papigochi,  Altar 
mines.  La  Libertad 38 


Page. 
Eivers  Yaqui  and  Mayo,  course  and  length;  fertile 
lands,  irrigation,  high  water,  flour  mills,  oyster 
beds,  settlements;  Mayo — narrow  valley,  settle- 
ments; pearl  divers,  sharks,  whales,  mantua  or 

blanket  fish 42 

Indians  and  presidios,  character  of  the  Yaqui  Indi- 
ans— Velasco  gives  them  a  bad  character;  Mayos; 
Ceris,  their  character,  location,  pelican-skia 
dress;  Opatas,  anecdote  of  the  Opatas,  Papajos; 
"Pitaya-syrup"  Apaches,  warlike,  personal  ap- 
pearance, habitation;  comparative  peace 46 

Discovery  of  Gold — A    natural   phenomenon;    gold 

everywhere 56 

Mines  of  Sonora 57 

Mining  Districts — Location  and  description  of  mines 

of  Sonora 58 

SiNALOA  102 

Roads  of  the  State 106 

Mazatlan — coast,  liarbor,  streets,  wholesale  and  re- 
tail houses,  description  of  houses,  streets,  gov- 
ernment buildings,  composite  architecture,  pub- 
lic plaza,  market  place,  principal  trade,  Mazatlan 
River,  rich  merchants,  hacienda  of  Piastla,  prin- 
cipal business  men  of  Mazatlan,  hotels,  trade 
with  Boston,  Philadelphia,  New  York  and  Sau 
Francisco;  iron  foundries 108 

Rosario — town  located  in  a  ravine,  Rosario  River, 
excellent  roads,  distances,  the  great  Tajo  mine  a 
source  of  wealth  to  the  city 114 

Culiacan — capital  of  the  State,  productions  of  this 
locality,  cotton  factory,  stage  road,  principal 
business  houses,  Presidio  of  Mazatlan,  ladies  of 
Culiacan 115 

Cosala — flower  gardens,  mining  town,  peculiar  dis- 
ease, principal  business  of  the  State,  legend  of 
Estacata  mine,  a  mine  lined  with  ebony,  haci- 
enda of  La  Labor 116 

Mining  Districts  and  mines  of  Sinaloa 117 

Chihuahua  

General  description,  rivers,  deserts,  and  grazing 
districts;  soil  and  productions,  and  grazing; 
climate 134 

Chihuahua — capital,  its  origin,  city  well  laid  out, 
Plaza  Mayor,  famous  cathedral,  Convent  of  San 


6 

Page. 
Francisco,  aqueduct,  mint,  trade,  patriot  Hidalgo 

peculiar  duties  abolished 138 

Las  Cas  Grandes  and  its  legend 139 

From  El  Paso  to  the  city  of  Chihuahua  142 

Los  Medanos 145 

From  Chihuahua  to  Durango 146 

El  Paso  del  Norte 148 

Mining  Districts  and  mines  of  Chihuahua 149 

Durango  

Boundaries  and  physical  features,  mountains,  graz- 
ing districts,  and  desert  lands 161 

City  of  Durango 

Situated  in  a  plain,   streets  pretty  and   regular, 

Plaza  Mayor,  public   buildings,  trade,  "Cerro  de 

Mercado,"   or  Mountain  of  Iron,  principal  busi- 

nessfirms,  bath  houses 163 

From  Durango  to  Mazatlan 164 

A  Grand  View 166 

The  Devil's  Backbone 168 

Short  route  to  Mazatlan 169 

Rancho  d e  Morteros 170 

Mi nes  of  Du ra ngo 171 

Iron  mines  of  Durango 176 

Curious  Caves  of  Durango  181 

Coahuila 182 

Nuevo  Leon  182 

Tamaulipas 183 

Arts  and  Manufactures 183 

Imports  and  Exports 185 

How  to  reach  the  northern  part  of  Mexico 189 

Revolutions 191 

Annexati on  193 

Roads  of  northern  Mexico ..  196 

Manner  of  acquiring  real  estate 197 

Mexican  Mi  ni ng  Laws 198 

Mexican  R.  R.  concessions 199 

Mexican  tarifi'and  trade  regulations 202 

Trade  with  Mexico ._ 211 

How  to  Secure  Mexican  Trade 219 

Importance  of  Matriculation 222 

Importance  of  Securing  Patents  for  Inventions  and 

Improvements  in  Mexico 222 

Treaties  between  Mexico  and  the  United  States —  225 

An  Important  Decree 225 


MK. IIIHI»Nnilll,:lllllLlllJlilM ■■■«, illil 


GENEEAL  DESCRIPTION 


REPUBLIC  OF  MEXICO. 


Physical  Features. 

The  Mexican  Hepnblic  is  a  land  of  marvels  for  the  scientist, 
and,  with  its  grand  gorges,  deep  harrancas,  loftj  mountain 
peaks,  beautiful  valleys,  elevated  mesas^  and  ancient  cities 
nestling  among  unrivaled  scenery,  will  always  be  an  object  of 
interest  to  the  traveler.  Within  its  1,224,996  square  miles  of 
territory,  the  shores  of  which  are  washed  by  two  oceans,  may 
be  found  a  greater  variety  of  scenery,  climate,  productions  in 
agriculture,  and  minerals  than  in  any  equal  area.  Its  series 
of  mountain  chains  and  elevated  plateaus,  extending  from  the 
northwest  to  the  southeast  the  entire  length  of  the  Republic, 
have  yielded  immense  mineral  wealth,  and  contain  within 
them  deposits  of  all  the  known  metals.  These  two  great 
ranges  of  mountains,  one  on  the  eastern  and  the  other  on  the 
western  boundary,  form  a  continuous  chain  with  the  great 
mesas  in  the  center,  and  slope  gradually  down  toward  the 
Pacific  Ocean  on  one  side  and  the  Mexican  Gulf  on  the  other, 
interrupted  by  plateaus,  on  which  towns  are  to  be  found  on 
the  lakes,  rivers,  and  amidst  luxuriant  vegetation.  The  vary- 
ing altitudes  produce  a  diversity  of  climate,  ranging  from  the 
cold  through  the  temperate  to  the  torrid,  and  a  wonderful 
variety  of  fruits  and  flowers  of  every  description,  from  the 
European  apple  and  rose  to  the  Cuban  guava  and  cactus, 
beside  other  species  unknown  to  any  other  country. 

Political  Divisions  and  Population. 

The  present  population  of  the  Republic,  as  near  as  can 
be  estimated  from  the  work  of  Antonio  Garcia  Cubas  of 
the  city  of  Mexico,  is  somewhere  in   the   neighborhood  of 


8 

9,525,000,  in  round  numbers,  taking  into  account  an  increase 
since  187G:  divided  among  the  different  states,  as  follows  : 

Sonora 125,000  Oaxaca 680,000 

Coahuila....    .....  115,000  Chiapas 200,000 

Chihuahua 190,000  Durango 185,000 

New  Leon 200,000  Zacatecas 420,000 

Tamaulipas 180,000  Aguas  Calientes.  . .  100,000 

Vera   Cruz 550,000  San  Luis  Potosi 555,000 

Tobasco 100,000  Guanajuato 900,000 

Campeachy 95,000  Queretaro 170,000 

Yucatan 350,000  Hidalgo   430,000 

Sinaloa 200,000  Mexico 750,000 

Jalisco   980,000  Morelos 150,000 

Colima 75,000  Puebla 750,000 

Michoacan 620,000  Tlaxcala 130,000 

Guerrero 350,000                                      

Total 9,500,000 

With  the  territory  of  Lower  California,  which  Antonio 
Garcia  Cubas,  in  his  geography  of  Mexico,  places  at  23,195, 
in  1874,  the  population  of  the  whole  republic  may  be  esti- 
mated at  about  9,525,000,  allowing  an  increase  in  Lower 
California,  up  to  1880,  or  about  six  years,  of  about  2,000 
more. 

National  and  State  Governments. 

Under  the  present  Constitution  of  the  Kepublic,  adopted 
February  5th,  1857,  the  Government  was  organized  with 
three  branches:  Legislative,  Executive,  and  Judicial — Con- 
gress, President  and  Cabinet,  and  Supreme  and  Circuit  and 
District  Courts. 

The  supreme  legislative  power  is  vested  in  the  Congress 
of  the  Union,  composed  of  a  Senate  and  Chamber  of  Depu- 
ties. The  members  are  elected  by  secret  ballot,  deposited 
by  Electors  chosen  by  the  people.  One  Elector  is  chosen  for 
every  five  hundred  inhabitants,  and  one  for  every  fraction 
thereof,  in  each  Congressional  district.  The  Senators  are 
elected  at  the  same  time  as  the  Deputies — two  for  each  State 
and  one  for  the  Federal  District  and  Territory  of  Lower  Cali- 
fornia respectively.  A  Deputy  is  chosen  for  each  40,000  in- 
habitants and  oue  for  every  fraction  over  20,000.  Substitute 
Senators  and  Deputies  are  chosen  at  the  same  time  and  in  the 
same  manner.  In  order  to  be  eligible  for  the  officer  ot  Sen- 
ator it  is  requisite  to  be  a  Mexican  citizen  in  the  full  exercise 


9 

of  his  rights,  thirt}'  years  of  age  at  the  opening  of  the  session, 
resident  of  the  State  or  Territory  he  represents,  and  not  to  be 
an  ecclesiastic.  The  Deputies  must  he  of  the  age  of  twent}- 
five  years  and  possessed  of  tlie  other  quahfications  demanded 
from  Senators.  Each  Chamber  of  Congress  decides  with 
regard  to  the  election  of  its  members,  and  determines  any 
doubts  that  may  occur  regarding  the  same.  Over  one-half 
the  total  number  constitutes  a  quorum  in  the  Chamber  of 
Deputies.  The  quorum  of  the  Senate  consists  of  two-thirds 
of  the  members  elected.  Two  ordinary  sessions  are  held  each 
year.  The  first  commences  on  the  IGth  of  Se[)tember  and 
terminates  on  the  15th  of  December;  the  second  commences 
of  the  1st  day  of  April  and  ends  on  the  last  day  of  May. 

The  President  is  elected  by  secret  ballot  by  Electors,  in 
the  same  manner  as  Senators  and  Deputies,  taking  his  seat 
on  the  1st  of  December,  for  the  period  of  four  years,  and  he 
is  ineligible  to  a  re-election  to  a  second  term  without  another 
intervening.  To  be  eligible  to  this  office  he  must  be  a  native 
citizen,  thirty-five  years  of  age  at  time  of  election,  and  not  to 
belong  to  the  ecclesiastical  state,  and  a  resident  of  the  Repulic. 
The  Cabinet  is  appointed  by  the  President,  and  consists  of 
Secretaries  of  Foreign  Relations,  Treasury,  War  and  Navy, 
Interior  and  Public  Works.  Eligibility  to  these  offices  re- 
quire the  candidate  to  be  a  native  citizen  and  twenty -five 
years  of  age.  The  President  and  Cabinet  constitute  the 
Executive  branch  of  the  Government. 

The  Judicial  power  is  vested  in  a  Supreme  Court  and  Cir- 
cuit and  District  Courts.  The  Supreme  Court  is  composed 
of  eleven  Judges  Proprietary,  four  Supernumeraries,  one  At- 
torney-General and  one  Solicitor-General.  The  term  of  office 
is  for  six  3'ears.  This  body  is  also  chosen  by  Electors.  To 
be  eligible  it  is  necessar}^  to  be  a  native  citizen,  "instructed 
in  the  science  of  law  in  the  opinion  of  the  Electors,"  and 
over  thirty-five  years  of  age.  The  Judicial  Circuits  are  eight 
in  number,  presided  over  by  Circuit  Judges,  appointed  by 
the  Executive  at  the  request  of  the  Supreme  Court.  These 
Circuit  Courts  convene  at  the  following  cities:  Mexico, 
Mazatlan,  Celaya,  Durango,  Guadalajara,  Monterey,  Merida, 
and  Puebla.  There  are  thirty-one  District  Judges,  dis- 
tributed as  follows:  Two  in  Mexico,  two  in  Tamaulipas,  and 
one  in  each  of  the  other  States  and  Territory,  appointed  in 
the  same  manner  as  the  Circuit  Judges.  The  District-At- 
torneys of  each  District  and  Circuit  are  appointed  i)y  the 
Executive,  also. 

The  State  Governments  arc  divided  into  three  parts — the 


10 

Executive  (Governor),  Legislature,  and  Judiciary."  The 
The  Governor  and  Legislature  are  elected  by  the  people  and 
the  Judiciary  is  appointed.  The  State  Judiciary  consists  of 
a  Supreme  Tribunal  and  Courts  of  the  First  Instance  and 
Municipal  Courts;  the  latter  are  presided  over  in  some  cities 
by  Prefects  and  Sub-Prefects,  and  in  others  by  Alcaldes  and 
Justices  of  the  Peace. 

In  relation  to  reHgious  belief.  Article  123  reads  as  follows: 
"It  belongs  exclusivel}'  to  the  Federal  power  to  exercise  in 
matters  of  religious  belief  and  discipline  the  intervention 
which  may  be  prescribed  by  the  laws."  The  Constitudon, 
laws  of  Congress,  and  treaties  are,  by  the  Constitution,  de- 
clared to  be  the  supreme  law  of  all  the  Union. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  much  of  the  Mexican  Constitution 
is  modeled  after  our  Federal  Constitution,  and  even,  in  some 
instances,  contains  improvements  on  the  same. 

Nominally  all  religions  are  tolerated  in  the  Republic,  al- 
though the  Roman  Catholic  predominates  for  the  most  part. 
In  the  large  cities  some  of  the  Protestant  denominations  have 
obtained  a  foothold.  On  the  overthrow  of  the  Church  party 
all  the  real  estate  held  by  the  Church  was  confiscated,  and 
by  the  Constitution  of  1857  this  class  of  property  was  forbid- 
den to  ecclesiastical  corporations.  Each  State  of  the  Feder- 
ation is  declared  sovereign,  and  all  the  powers  not  expressly 
delegated  to  the  General  Government  by  the  Constitution 
was  reserved  to  the  States,  respectively.  The  Federal  dis- 
trict and  Lower  California  are,  however  subject  to  the  Gen- 
eral Government,  and  controled  entirely  by  Federal  laws. 
The  Codes  originally  adopted  by  the  Federal  Congress  for 
the  Federal  District  and  Lower  California  have  since,  with 
some  slight  modifications,  been  adopted  by  most  of  the  sev- 
eral States,  and  the  laws  may  therefore  be  said  to  bo  uniform 
in  their  main  features  throughout  the  Republic. 

The  Republic  was  declared  independent  February  24th, 
1821;  established  as  an  Empire,  underlturbide,  in  1822,  and 
proclaimed  a  Republic  December  2d,  1822,  by  Santa  Anna. 
Iturbide  abdicated  March  20th,  1823.  The  Republic  con- 
tains 27  States,  1  Territory,. and  1  Federal  District.  The 
present  Constitution  was  adopted  February  5th,  1857. 


11 

Education. 


The  principle  of  obligatory  education  is  now  in  force  in 
the  greater  part  of  the  states  of  the  republic,  penalties  hav- 
ing been  decreed  for  those  who  contravene  the  law,  and  re- 
wards for  those  who  voluntarily  observe  the  same.  Primary 
instruction  in  the  schools  of  the  rei)ublic  consists  of  the  fol- 
lowing branches:  Reading,  writing,  S[)anish  grammar,  arith- 
metic, tables  of  weights  and  measures,  morality,  and  good 
manners;  and  moreover,  in  the  girls'  schools,  needlework 
and  other  useful  labors.  In  some  of  the  states  the  study  of 
geography,  national  history,  and  drawing  are  also  obligatory; 
whilst,  in  the  schools  that  are  not  supported  by  the  govern- 
ment, a  knowledge  of  algebra  and  geometry  is  taught, 
with  the  elements  of  general  and  natural  history,  ornamental 
and  lineal  drawing,  and  the  French  language.  The  number 
of  primary  schools  in  the  whole  of  the  republic  reaches 
8,103.  Of  the  number  referred  to,  according  to  the  work  of 
Seiior  Diaz  Covarrubias,  G03  are  supported  by  the  state  gov- 
ernments, 5,240  by  the  municipal  authorities,  378  by  private 
corporations  or  individuals,  117  by  the  •Catholic  clergy,  be- 
sides 1,581  private  establishments  that  are  not  gratuitous, 
and  184  not  classified.  These  schools  are  attended  by  schol- 
ars of  both  sexes.  Secondary  instruction,  as  well  as  profes- 
sional education,  are  under  the  charge  of  the  state,  witfi 
subjection  to  the  programmes  established  by  the  law,  which 
prescribes  as  a  mandate  the  liberty  of  education  and  profes- 
sions. 

In  the  republic  there  are  105  establishments  of  secondary 
and  professional  instruction.  These  embrace  preparatory 
schools,  civil  colleges  of  jurisprudence,  s  hools  of  medicine 
and  phar:ijacy,(no  one  can  practice  medicine  or  keep  a  drug- 
store without  a  diploma  from  the  government)  schools  for  en- 
gineers, naval  schools,  commercial  schools,  academies  of  arts 
and  sciences,  agricultural  schools,  academies  of  line  arts,  con- 
servatories of  music  and  oratory,  military  colleges,  concilia- 
tory seminaries  supported  by  the  Catholic  clergy,  blind  school, 
deaf  and  dumb  school,  and  secondary  schools  for  girls.  In 
these  latter,  mathematics,  cosmography,  geography,  domestic 
medicine,  history  and  chronology,  book-keeping,  domestic 
economy,  and  duties  of  women  in  society,  natural,  figured, 
and  ornamented  drawing,  manual  labors,  horticulture  and 
gardening,  music,  the    French   and  Italian  languages — cer- 


12 

tainly,  a  young  lady  who  graduates  in  these  schools  may  be 
said  to  be  accomplished,  and  our  female  seminaries  might 
find  some  suErgestions  in  a  finished  education.  The  whole 
number  of  educational  establishments  is 8,208,  with  364,809 
pupils.  Besides  these  are  eight  model  schools;  285,509 
males  and  79,300  females  receive  instruction,  and  this  does 
not  include  the  education  uijder  private  tutors.  There  are 
20  public  libraries  in  the  state,  containing,  in  the  whole, 
236,000  volumes;  and  private  libraries,  containing  from  1,000 
to  8,000  works,  are  innumerable;  and  there  are  some  with 
as  many  as  20,000,  and  collections  of  manuscripts  and  books 
upon  history  ,and  travels,  literature,  law,  biography,  elo- 
quence, encyclopedias,  classic  authors,  mathematics,  phys- 
ical sciences,  and  antiquities,  relating  to  America,  Asia, 
Egypt  and  Nubia. 

The  most  remarkable  museums  of  the  Republic  are 
those  of  antiquities  in  Mexico,  Campeche,  Puebla  and 
Merida;  those  of  paintings  in  Mexico,  Oaxaca  and  Puebla; 
those  of  natural  history  in  Guadalajara  and  Mexico.  The  Na- 
tional Museum  of  Mexico,  to  which  is  annexed  that  of 
Natural  History,  contains  a  rich  collection  of  Mexican  antiq- 
uities, hieroglyphics,  manuscripts,  arms,  utensils,  idols, 
jewels,  and  ever}"  species  of  ornaments. 

The  Museum  of  Natural  History  at  the  Mining  College, 
now  the  School  of  Engineers,  is  composed  of  two  cabinets. 
In  the  first,  there  is  a  well  classified  collection  of  geological 
specimens,  and  another  of  zoology,  which  contains  a  large 
assortment. 

In  the  second,  are  found  two  collections  of  minerals  from 
Europe  and  Mexico,  arranged  according  to  the  chemical 
mineralogical  system  of  Berzelius. 

The  Academy  of  San  Carlos,  named  in  honor  of  Carlos  the 
Third,  of  Spain,  is  one  of  the  most  notable  institutions  of 
the  City  of  Mexico.  It  contains  several  galleries,  where  im- 
merous  original  and  valuable  old  Spanish  and  Italian  paint- 
ings are  to  be  seen.  Among  others,  are  works  of  Leonardo 
de  Vinci,  Murillo,  Vernet,  Coglietti,  Canova,  Van  Dyck,  Cor- 
tona,  Perugino,  Ingres,  Becaen,  Reni  Marko,  and  other 
works  of  Podesti  and  Silvagni,  and  several  of  the  Flemish 
and  Butch  schools.  In  the  other  saloons  are  to  be  seen  the 
paintings  of  some  of  the  most  proficient  students  of  the 
Academy;  also,  many  remarkable  paintings  of  ancient 
Mexican  artists,  as  Cobreza,  Aguilero,  the  Juarez  family, 
Ybarra ,  Arteaga,  Vallejo,  Echave,  and  others. 

In  the   republic  there  exist  73  institutions  dedicated  to 


13 

the  cultivation  of  arts  and  sciences,  of  which  29  are  scien- 
tific, 21  literary,  20  artistical,  and  three  of  a  mixed  char- 
acter. 

Resources  of  Mexico. 

There  are  now  being  established,  in  the  greater  part  of  the 
states  of  Mexico,  cotton,  woolen,  silk,  earthenware,  glass, 
and  paper  factories,  which  will  add  to  her  present  prosper- 
ity. If  all  this  great  territory  were  populated,  even  in  pro- 
portion to  Guanajato  and  its  territory,  the  census  of  the 
repubUc  would  reach  58,000,000  to  60,000,000,  instead  of 
only  9,000,000  to  10,000,000.  This  scarcity  of  population 
is  the  one  great  cause  of  the  undevelopment  of  the  vast 
agricultural  resources  of  Mexico;  and  when  they  are  fully 
developed,  they  will  constitute  an  element  of  enormous 
wealth. 

Within  the  territory  of  the  republic,  there  are  more  than 
5700  haciendas,  (landed  estates)  and  13,800  farms,  (ranchos) 
and  not  a  few  other  locations,  of  immense  extent.  Tlie 
value  assigned  to  landed  property,  based  simply  on  its  valu- 
ation for  taxes,  is  $101,397,311.  The  real  value  may  be  said 
to  be  double  that  amount,  or  about  $323,000,000.  The 
maize  which  is  grown  all  over  the  territory,  the  wheat  in 
the  upper  table-lands,  the  rice  in  the  warm  and  damp  sec- 
tions, the  coffee,  vanilla,  tobaoco,  sugar,  and  cotton  in  the 
hot  countries,  and  many  other  articles,  among  which  may  be 
mentioned  the  "agave  Mexicano,"  with  its  abundant 
returns,  constitute  the  principal  branches  of  national  agri- 
culture, and  the  annual  products  may  be  safely  estimated  at 
$100,000,000.  If  colonies  were  settled  in  this  vast  territory, 
emplo^'ing  their  activity  and  intelligence  in  making  such 
rich  and  extensive  lands  productive,  under  the  influence  of 
the  varieties  of  climate,  the  benefits  derived  to  Mexico  are 
almost  incalculable. 

The  rich  and  varied  mineral  productions  of  the  republic 
have  placed  its  mines  in  the  niche  of  fame;  and  were  it  not 
for  the  scarcity  of  population  before  mentioned,  they  would 
produce  a  revenue  that  has  never  been  dreamed  of,  in  the 
imaginations  of  their  Spanish  conquerors. 

The  mines  of  Guanajato,  which  have  been  the  most 
worked,  and  yielded  enormously,  still  present  immense 
wealth,  with  no  signs  of  their  being  exhausted.  The  soil  of 
Guerrero  has  been  pronounced,  by  a  Spanish  mineralogist 
as  one  extensive  crust  of  silver  and  gold.  This  seems  like 
exaggeration,  3'et  it  has  in  a  measure  proved  to  be  true  in 


14 

the  immense  deposits  there  found.  In  Sinaloa  the  waters 
have  submerged  rich  treasures,  some  of  which  have  been 
rediscovered. 

The  states  of  Zacatecas,  Sonora,  Chihuahua,  Durango,  San 
Luis  Potosi,  Hidalgo,  Mexico,  and  Michoacan  contain  with- 
in their  mountain  ranges  veins  of  gold  and  silver  in  inex- 
haustible riches.  Although  the  best  portion  of  the  mineral 
district  lies  in  the  northern  states  of  the  republic,  yet 
throughout  its  whole  territory  raetaliferous  deposits  are 
found.  Silver  and  gold  are  mostly  worked,  while  the  other 
metals  and  mineral  substances,  truch  as  copper,  iron,  zinc, 
lead,  magistral,  antimony,  arsenic,  cobalt,  amianthus,  and 
copperas  are  almost  neglected.  The  mountain  of  Popoaita- 
petl  is  said  to  be  one  vast  pile  of  sulphur.  Salt  mines  are 
found  at  Penon  Blanco,  in  San  Luis  Potosi,  Tamaulipas, 
south  of  the  Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec,  and  in  the  islands  of 
the  Gulf  of  California.  The  Lake  of  Texcoco  and  its  adja- 
cent lands  possess  an  extensive  supply  of  carbonate  of  soda. 
In  every  state  there  exist  quarries  of  white  and  colored  mar- 
ble. The  alabaster  of  Tecali,  in  the  state  of  Puebla,  has  at- 
tracted great  attention,  and  the  extensive  coal-fields,  platina, 
and  quicksilver  mines  all  add  to  the  wealth  of  this  great  ter- 
ritory. Precious  stones  are  not  unknown;  the  opal  with  as 
varied  and  beautiful  hues  as  those  of  Hungary,  the  turquoise, 
garnet,  topaz,  agate,  and  amethyst  besides,  are  found  exten- 
sively in  many  places.  Building  stone  of  a  great  variety 
is  plentiful,  from  which  magnificent  structures  may  be  built. 
Aside  from  the  amount  of  ores  that  are  worked  outside  of 
the  republic  on  account  of  the  law  permitting  free  exporta- 
tion of  mineral  ores,  the  annual  coinage  in  gold,  silver,  and 
copper  is  on  an  average  of  $20,500,000,  and  the  whole 
amount  of  coinage  since  the  establishment  of  the  mints  up 
to  1875  being  |3, 001,237,281.02.  In  the  colonial  period 
(1537  to  1821):  Silver,  $2,082,260,657.44;  gold,  $68,778,- 
411;  copper,  $542,893.37— total,  $2,151,581,901.81.  Since 
the  independence,  or  establishment  of  the  republic  (1822  to 
1875):  Silver,  $797,055,080.71;  gold,  $47,327,383.11;  cop- 
per,  $5,272,855.93  — total,  $849,655,319.84.  Total  silver, 
$2,879,315,738.21;  gold,  $116,105,794.11;  copper,  $5,815,- 
740.30.     Grand  total,  $3,001,237,281.62. 

Within  the  la?tfive  years,  since  the  investment  of  addition- 
al foreign  capital,  the  amount  additional,  on  the  average  of 
twenty  and  one-half  millions  a  year  as  the  lowest  estimate, 
would  reach  $102,500,000  more,  which  would  make  the 
sum  total  in  1880,  $3,103,737,281.62  as  the  amount  coined 
by  the  republic  of  Mexico. 


15 

To  show  the  increase  of  production,  from  the  records  of 
the  mints,  we  herewith  give  the  amount  coined  up  to  1865, 
to  compare  with  the  amount  coined  in  1875,  from  ojBScial 
records,  the  tir8t  being  taken  from  "El  Minero  Mexicano"  of 
December  2nd,  1880,  and  the  second  or  latter  from  Cubas' 
valuable  work,  which  he  claims  to  have  obtained  from  the 
records  at  the  mints, 

AzQOunt  of  Money  Coined  in  the   Republic  of  Mexico 
from  1772  to  1865. 


In  the  Mints  of 

Silver. 

Gold. 

Total. 

Mexico 

Catorcfi 

$2,163,830,764 

1,321, 54£ 

15,62G,400 

12,795, .')05 

35,294,581 

28,28^333 

164,591,216 

48,745,584 

910,!>27 

204,234,941 

2,063,958 

1,551,249 

959,116 

$77,753,472 

1,286,095 

4,735,28J 

3,139,889 

754,487 

15,094,529 

236  120 

550,008 

2,311,104 

203,534 

$2,241,590,237 
1,321,545 

Chihuahua  

16,912  495 

Guiiacan 

17,530,791 

38,434,470 

29,042,820 

179,08.5,745 

48,745,584 

1,147,046 

204,784,949 

4,375,062 

1,551,249 

1,162,650 

Durango 

Guad»lajara 

Guanajuato 

San  Luis  Potosi 

Oaxaca  

Za-^atecas 

Guadalupe  y  Galvo 

Sombrerete 

Tlalpam 

1865  —Total 

$2,680,220  119 

$106,064,534 

§2.786,28  ♦.654 

1875 — Total  amount  coined  from  1772. 
1865 —     "        "      deducted 


Increase  in  10  years 

(or  about  $21,495,262.76  cents  annnally.) 


^3,001,237,281   62 
2,786,284,654  00 

$214,952,627  62 


The  average  annual  production  of  the  mines  of  Souora, 
from  1835  to  1842,  was  given  by  Francisco  Velasco  at  a 
rough  estimate  of  f  1,500,000  annually,  or  $10,500,000  during 
the  })eriod  of  seven  ^-ears.  In  1828,  Don  Juan  AL  Riesago 
estimated  the  annual  production  at  $2,000,000. 

The  laws  originally  demanded  that  all  bullion  should  be 
brought  to  Mexico  to  be  coined,  and  the  cost  of  carrying 
was  so  great  that  the  rich  mines  in  these  border  States  be- 
came almost  neglected  by  capitalists,  and  the  poorer  ones 
ne  trest  to  Mexico  City  were  mostly  worked.  This  resulted 
in  the  smuggling  of  bullion  out  of  the  mines  in  the  northern 
states  of  the  republic,  and  no  record  could  be  kept  at  the 
mints,  of  those  mines — in  fact,  there  are  no  reliable  records 
that  give  any  account  of  the  exports  of  bullion  either  from 
Mazatlan  or  Guaymas,  although  some  records  exist  covering 


16 

the  last  few  years;  while  it  is  well  known  that  the  mines  in 
those  States  have  been  extensively  worked  in  certain  locali- 
ties for  over  a  century. 

LoAver  California. 

This  embraces  a  territory  or  peninsula,  washed  on  its 
western  shores  by  the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  east  by  the  Gulf 
of  California.  Its  area  is  over  60,000  square  miles.  Its 
capital  is  La  Paz,  which  is  the  principal  town.  The 
whole  of  the  center  is  traversed  by  a  volcanic  range  of 
mountains  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  It  is  bounded  on  the 
north  by  California  and  north-east  by  the  Colorado  River,  di- 
viding it  from  Sonora. 

The  soil  is  generally  not  productive,  though,  at  the  base 
of  the  mountains  and  in  small  valleys,  where  the  decompo- 
sition of  lava  has  been  going  on  for  ages,  it  possesses  an  in- 
credible fecundity.  The  formation  of  the  whole  State  is 
volcanic,  and  the  coast  subject  to  storms.  The  scarcity  of 
rivers  bars  much  of  its  prosperity. 

The.  productions  are  maize,  manioc,  wheat,  beans,  etc. ; 
grapes,  from  which  wine  of  a  very  rich  flavor  is  produced; 
oranges,  limes,  lemons,  citrons,  prunes,  dates,  figs,  pine- 
apples, bananas,  plantains,  and  other  tropical  fruits;  stock  of 
various  kinds  graze  in  the  valleys,  consisting  of  horses, 
sheep,  cattle,  goats  and  hogs.  Fish,  in  its  waters,  abound 
to  a  great  extent,  such  as  halibut,  salmon,  turbot,  skate, 
pilchard,  large  oysters,  thornback,  mackerel,  cod,  lobsters, 
etc.,  and  pearl  oysters. 

The  pearl  fishery  is  much  pursued  at  La  Paz.  In  this 
reo-ion,  a  gold  mine  has  been  worked  to  some  extent. 
There  are  about  cO  towns  in  the  state,  six  bays  on  the  east 
coast  and  ten  on  the  west,  twelve  islands  in  the  gulf,  and 
eight  west  of  the  coast. 

The  territory  of  Lower  California  is  divided  into  eight 
municipalities — La  Paz,  San  Jose  de  Comondu,  Mulege, 
Santo  Tomas,  San  Antonio,  Todos  Santos,  Santiago,  San  Josd 
del  Cabo.     Population,  25,000. 

La  Paz,  the  capital,  has  about  3,000  inhabitants 

This  territory  is  about  to  be  colonized,  as  we  learn  from 
the  "  Diario  Official  '  that  a  contract  has  been  signed  by 
the  Acting  Secretary  of  Public  Works,  in  virtue  whereof, 
Messrs.  J.  Kelly  &  Co.,  of  Mazat  an,  engage  themselves  to 
colonize  36  000  hectares  of  public  lands  in  Lower  Cali- 
fornia. 


IV 

The    Climate    of  the   Table   Lands    of   the    Northern 
Part  of   Mexico. 

The  altitude  of  the  table  lands  of  Mexico  has  a  marked 
€ftect  upon  the  climate.     In  the  summer  the  thermometer 
records  a  mean  temperature  of  85  decrees  at  El  Paso,  3800 
feet  above  the  sea.     It  sometimes  reaches  105  .degrees  in 
July.     The  constant  breezes,  however,  make  the  heat  more 
bearable.     In  December — the  middle  of  the  winter  season — 
the  mean  temperature  is  about  48  degrees,  the  mercury  fall- 
ing sometimes  to  5  degrees  below  zero.     Snow  falls  some- 
times two  feet  in  depth,  and  ice  forms  a  solid  sheet  on  the 
Rio  Grande,  andthe  streams  are  sometimes  frozen  to  a  con- 
siderable depth,  strong  enough  to  bear  a  heavy  mule  team 
and    loaded  wagon.     The  frosts  are  severe,  therefore,  and 
grapevines  at  El  Paso  and  other  points  have  to  be  protected 
by  burying  in  the  earth  from   eighteen  inches  to  two  feet 
beneath  the  surface.     The  Rio  Grande  generally  freezes  so 
as  to  make  the  fording  an  impossibility  during  the  coldest 
weather.     The    whole  of  the  table   lands  is  subject  to  ex- 
tremely cold  weather,  and  travelers  not  only  often  suffer  se- 
verely but  actually  perish  trom  the  cold  when  not  carefully 
protected.     In  the  mining  region  of  Jesus  Maria,  in  Chihua- 
hua, the  ice  frequently  forms  to  a  considerable  thickness  in 
the  houses.     The  rainfall  reaches  from  six  to  fourteen  and 
fifteen   inches,   and   when  accompanied  by  sleet  and  snow 
makes  traveling  anything  but  pleasant  in  the  face  of  some  of 
the    winter   storms    that   sweep  over   the    elevated  plains. 
Travelers  recount  some  very   disagreeable   experiences  in 
midwinter  traveling.     Mr.  Ruxton  speaks  of  riding  through 
one  of  these  storms  when  his  blanket,  used  as  a  protection 
against  the  storm,  froze  stifl'  and  hard  as  a  board  while  he 
he  was  in  the  midst  of  a  storm  of  sleet  and   rain.     His  feet 
were  frozen,  and  he   came  near  perishing.     Stopping  and 
squatting  upon  the  ground,  having  lost  his  way  in  the  night, 
he  drew  his  blanket  around  him  as  best  he  could,  and  re- 
mained till  near  morning  in  that  position,  with  his  blanket 
over  his  head.     He  says  that  before  morning  he  was  com- 
pletely snowed  in,  the  snow   being  over  his  head  on  a  level. 
From  this  we  should  judge  that  the  climate  of  these  table 
lands  may  be  said  to  be  somewhat  similar  to  the  climate  of 
the  Mississippi  Valley,  bordering  Illinois,  Indiana  and  Iowa. 
The  statement,  therefore,  that  the  climate  of  Mexico  is  trop- 
ical will  not  apply  to  these  table  lands.     In  most  of  the  min- 
ing regions  of  this  portion  of  Mexico  snow  falls  and  ice  forms. 
2 


18 

All  the  mines  of  any  value  or  located  in  the  mountains  or 
cold  rc'o^ions.  Durango,  Coaliuila  and  part  of  New  Leon  and 
Tamaulipas  have  about  the  same  climate  as  in  Chihuahua, 
with  a  less  proportion  of  snow  in  New  Leon  and  Tamaulipas. 
The  table  lands  are  healthy,  and  the  air  is  pure  and  bracing. 
The  altitude  produces  every  variety  of  climate  on  the 
plateaus  until  the  low  lands  or  ]jlains  are  reached,  when 
tro[>ical  features  alone  prevail.  The  low,  marshy  regions 
are  to  be  avoided  not  only  on  account  of  the  "vomito"' — 
the  scourge  of  those  regions — but.  also  the  malarial  fevers 
which  make  such  locahties  dangerous  for  the  settler. 

The  climate  of  Chihuahua  City  is  about  the  same  as  at  El 
Paso,  with  perhaps  more  cold  weather,  since  the  altitude  is 
higher,  and  the  mountains  adjacent  reaching  several  thou- 
sand feet  above  the  level  of  the  plain,  and  in  the  wintertime 
are  perpetually  covered  with  snow.  The  peak  of  Jesus  Ala- 
ria,  in  the  southwestern  portion  of  the  State,  is  8456  feet 
above  the  sea,  and  La  Tarumara  8340.  The  city  of  Durango, 
Humboldt  says,  is  about  G845  feet  above  the  sea,  and  the 
Cerro  de  Mercado,  or  Iron  Mountain,  adjacent  is  8220  feet, 
making  the  climate,  consequently,  from  the  altitude  and  sur- 
roundings, cold  in  the  winter  season,  with  considerable  snow 
and  ice  prevailing. 

In  the  mountainous  part  of  Sinaloa  the  same  may  be  said, 
though  the  altitude  of  the  whole  State  is  much  lower,  since 
the  highest  peaks,  viz..  La  Bayona  and  Cabeza  de  Caballo, 
make  only  5614  and  4365  feet  respectively  above  the  sea. 
In  New  Leon,  El  de  la  Si  11a  and  Sierra  de  Gomez  are  7800 
and  6602  feet  respectively  above  the  sea  level. 

The  State  of  Tamaulipas  has  the  highest  mountain  peaks 
ot  any  of  the  Northern  States  of  Mexico.  Los  Gallitos  is  the 
highest,  being  9633  feet,  while  Orcasitas  is  7562  and  El  Me- 
tate  7144  feet  above  the  sea.  Sr.  Don  Perez  Hernandez,  in 
his  work  published  in  1862,  gives  much  valuable  information, 
from  which  we  extract  the  above  figures. 

Ruxtou  says.  "The  Cit}^  ot  Mexico  is  7470  feet  above  the 
sea  level,  and  La  Villa  de  Leon  6020,  thus  showing  that  the 
table  land  of  Mexico  does  not  decline  so  suddenly  as  is  imag- 
ined. Indeed,  exce])ting  in  the  plains  of  Salamanca  and  Silao, 
there  is  no  percoptil)Ie  (htferencc  in  the  temperature,  and,  I 
believe,  in  reality  but  little  in  elevation  in  the  vast  region 
between  the  capital  and  Chihuahua.  Snow  falls  here  oc- 
casionally, and  the  mercury  is  sometimes  seen  below  the 
freezing  point.  For  the  greater  part  of  the  year,  however, 
the  heat  is  excessive,  and  a  low,  intermittent  fever  prevails." 


80NORA. 

CHAPTER   1. 
Boundaries   and   General   Description. 

The  name  of  Sonora  is  derived  from  "Sonot,''  au  Opata 
Indian  name,  which  means  "Senora,"  an  appellation  bestow- 
ed b}'  the  Spanish  conquerors  upon  an  Indian  woman  who 
treated  them  with  great  hospitalitj-,  when  they  visited  the 
settlements  of  that  tribe.  The  Indians,  in  attempting  to 
imitate  the  Spaniards,  pronounced  the  word  "Sonora." 

The  State  comprises  nine  districts:  Hermosillo,  at  which 
is  located  the  capital;  Ures,  the  former  capital;  Guaymas, 
Alamos,  Magdaleua,  Altar,  Oposura  or  Moctezuma  and 
Sahuaripa.  The  state  originally  extended  its  boundaries 
from  the  river  "  de  las  Canas  "  on  the  south,  to  the  river 
Gila  on  the  north.  The  southern  boundary  extended  then 
from  the  state  of  Jalisco  on  the  south  to  Arizona,  and  in- 
cluded a  part  of  the  same.  Yuma,  with  Tucson  and  other 
towns  and  ranchos  south  of  the  river  Gila,  were  originally 
included  in  the  state.  The  state  was  then  1,395  miles  in 
length,  but  in  1830  it  was  divided,  and  the  south-eastern 
boundary  fixed  54  miles  south  of  the  city  of  Alamos,  on  the 
border  of  the  Mesquite  rancho.  This  constituted  the  di- 
viding line  between  the  states  of  Sonora  and  Sinaloa;  the 
distance  from  the  former  capital,  Ures,  to  the  southern 
boundary  being  354  miles.  The  northern  boundary  ex- 
tended to  the  Gila  River,  until  the  boundary  line  between  the 
United  States  and  Mexico  was  fixed  south  of  the  same  river. 

The  length  of  the  state  is  about  700  miles.  Mean  breadth 
from  the  state  of  Chihuahua  on  the  east  to  the  Gulf  of  Cal- 
ifornia on  the  west  is  about  300  miles.  The  exact  measure- 
ment is  not  known,  as  the  state  has  never  been  completely 
surveyed.  The  most  narrow  breadth  between  Mesquite  and 
Alamos  is  about  120  miles.  The  area  in  square  miles  is 
about  123,466. 

The  general  direction  of  the  state  is  from  north-west  to 


20 

south-east,  along  the  Gulf  of  California.  Its  whole  western 
boundary,  from  the  mouth  of  the  river  Colorado  on  the  north, 
extends  along  the  coast  south-east  to  Sinaloa.  It  is  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Arizona  and  New  Mexico.  Along  the  coast 
the  surface  is  diversified  by  valleys,  plains,  and  foot-hills. 
Some  of  the  plains  are  30  to  40  miles,  some  reaching  to  90 
miles,  in  extent.  In  the  neighborhood  of  the  Sierra  Madre 
mountains  it  is  lofty  and  broken.  The  surface  may  be  said 
to  possess  three  distinct  features  outside  of  the  mountainous 
district.  First,  dry  plains;  second,  elevated  plateaus,  or  ta- 
ble lands;  and  third,  agricultural  valleys,  or  bottom  lands. 
The  dry  plains  are  located  in  the  north-western  part  of  the 
state,  between  the  head-waters  of  the  Gulf  of  California, 
and  the  valley  of  Santa  Cruz,  bordering  upon  Arizona  in  the 
north.  The  table  lands  lie  in  the  north-eastern  part  of  the 
state,  extending  from  the  Santa  Cruz  valley  and  the  source 
of  the  Bapetito  River,  the  main  branch  of  the  Yaqui  on  the 
west,  to  the  base  of  the  Sierra  Madre  mountains,  which  ex- 
tend along  the  boundary  line  between  the  state  and  Chi- 
huahua. 

From  Guaymas  to  the  northern  border  line,  the  surface  is 
generally  level,  diversified  here  and  there  by  isolated  moun- 
tains, conical  or  table-topped,  which  give  grandeur  to  the 
landscape,  without  occupying  much  arable  area.  The  soil 
is  of  great  depth  and  richness,  resembling  in  many  locali- 
ties the  famous  brazos  of  Texas,  but  happily  exempt  from 
the  malarias  of  the  latter. 

In  the  interior,  plains  and  valleys  of  immense  extent  are 
crossed  by  the  traveler,  in  some  instances  200  miles  in 
length.  The  largest  river  of  the  state  is  the  Yaqui,  or 
Buenavista,  which  is  only  navigable  for  flat-boats  in  high 
water.  The  river  Mayo  may  also  be  mentioned.  Both  of 
these  rivers  empty  into  the  Gulf  of  California.  The  source 
of  each  is  in  the  copious  springs  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  and 
they  are  never  dry  in  the  seasons  of  most  drought. 

The  river  Sonora  or  Arispe  passes  through  Ures  and  Her- 
mosillo,  and  loses  its  waters  in  the  sandy  plains  of  Siete  Cer- 
ritos,  about  21  miles  west  of  Hermosillo.  The  Horcasitas, 
or  Rayon,  a  small  stream,  joins  the  Sonora  about  five  miles 
east  of  Hermosillo.  The  same  stream  is  also  called  Opodepe 
and  Cucm-pe.  The  Oposura,  Aribechi,  Santa  Cruz,  San 
Jose  de  Pimas,  Tecoripa,  Altar,  and  Caborca,  are  mere 
creeks,  fordable  when  their  waters  are  high,  and  almost  en- 
tirely disappear  in  dry  seasons,  some  of  them  entirely  sink- 
ing in  the  sands.     The  Colorado  River  on  the  north-west  ex- 


21 

tends  along  but  a  small  part  of  the  boundary.  There  are 
many  sand-plains  along  the  coast,  as  well  as  large  sterile 
tracts  in  the  interior,  and  ouly  on  the  banks  of  the  streams 
or  river  bottoms  are  the  lands  capable  of  irrigation.  The 
principal  sand-plain  extends  from  the  mouth  of  the  Colorado 
to  the  Salinas  IBay  near  port  La  Libertad. 

The  only  port  suitable  for  commerce  is  that  of  Guaymas, 
to  which  we  will  call  particular  attention  hereafter.  Some 
trade  is  also  done  at  La  Libertad.  In  Santa  Cruz  de  Mayo, 
of  the  department  of  Alamos,  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
state,  there  is  a  small  bay  or  roadstead  called  the  port  of 
Santa  Cruz. 

That  portion  lying  between  Mesquite  on  the  south  along 
the  base  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  extending  north  to  the 
ancient  capital  city  Arispe,  is  sterile  in  places,  but  has  never 
been  completely  explored  by  surveying  or  civil  engineers, 
while  the  region  further  north  is,  in  places,  very  fertile. 
This  territory  will  demand  a  more  particular  description 
hereafter.  The  most  valuable  agricultural  lands  are  situated 
on  the  banks  of  the  rivers  and  creeks,  or  river  bottoms. 
Irrigation  is  necessary  for  almost  the  entire  territory,  either 
natural  or  artificial.  The  yield  in  this  case  is  vastly  greater 
than  is  produced  in  countries  where  the  sole  dependence  is 
rain.  The  dry  plains  arc  generally  level,  with  a  hard  sur- 
face, and  adapted  for  purposes  of  wagon-roads  and  railroads. 
Experience  has  shown  that  artesian  well-water  may  be  ob- 
tained. The  arid  spots  cannot  be  cultivated.  The  table- 
lauds  are  covered  with  a  short  and  luxuriant  grass,  upon 
which  immense  herds  of  cattle  have  been  and  may  still  be 
raised. 

We  herewith  give  the  following  from  the  pen  of  an  able 
Spanish  writer,  Velasco,  who  impartially  describes  the  state, 
in  his  valuable  work  on  Souora,  which  has  been  translated 
by  Mr.  Nye.     Page  14: 

"  The  most  thickly  settled  places  are  upon  the  bunks  of 
the  rivers  and  creeks,  while  at  the  interior  settlements  be- 
tween Alamos  and  Ilermosillo  there  is  so  great  a  scarcity  of 
water  on  the  roads  tliat  the  traveler  is  compelled  to  carry  a 
supply  with  him.  It  is  not  uncommon  to  travel  eight  or 
even  sixteen  leagues,  (about  three  miles  to  the  league)  with- 
out finding  a  stream  or  a  place  where  water  may  be  procured 
by  digging.  Un  that  part  of  the  coast  called  Tiburon,  to  the 
west  of  Hermosillo,  the  distance  between  watering-places  is 
still  greater,  and  the  supj)ly  more  scanty,  and  on  the  old  road 
of  Cieneguilla,  which  is  from  fifty  to  sixty  leagues  in  length, 


22 


there  are  but  three  watering-places,  including  one  well.  On 
the  road  from  Ilermosillo  to  the  port  of  Guaymas,  in  the 
dry  season,  no  water  is  to  be  had  for  thirty-six  leagues,  ex- 
cept at  La  Posa  and  La  Cieneguilla,  and  it  is  occasionally  so 
scarce  at  these  places  that  foot  passengers  perish  from  thirst. 
The  coast  is  so  dry  that  the  rancheros  have  sunk  wells  in 
different  parts  of  it,  thirty  and  forty  yards  in  depth,  without 
finding  moisture.  The  region  between  Arispe  and  the  Gila, 
however,  is  well  watered  by  numerous  creeks,  and  abounds 
in  pools  and  swamps,  and  the  mountains  are  well  supplied 
with  water,  and  timber  of  various  kinds,  such  as  cedar,  pine, 
evergreen  oak,- ebony,  etc.;  well  stocked  with  deer  and 
birds,  and  containing  medicinal  herbs  of  marvelous  efficacy, 
one  of  which,  called  '  colorada,'  is  used  by  the  Apaches  for 
the  treatment  of  wounds.  The  valleys  are  expansive  and 
beautiful,  abundantly  watered,  and  clothed  in  verdure  dur- 
ing the  entire  year;  and  nature  has  lavished  her  vegetable 
and  mineral  wealth  upon  these  frontier  regions  with  so  prod- 
igal a  hand  that  they  may  well  be  called  the  Paradise  of 
Sonora.  The  inscrutable  decree  of  the  Almighty  has  be- 
stowed them  upon  savages,  incapable  of  appreciating  or  en- 
joying his  munificent  gift." 

Thus  we  see  the  region  north-east  and  bordering  upon  the 
State  of  Chihuahua,  outside  of  the  valleys  of  the  Y'aqui  and 
Mayo  rivers,  is  the  best  portion  of  the  state,  and  includes 
the  valleys  and  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Madre.  In  this  re- 
gion there  are  now  many  cattle-ranches  of  large  extent,  that 
may  be  purchased  at  very  low  rates,  we  should  judge,  tak- 
ing our  data  from  the  prices  prevailing  in  Sonora.  The 
mineral  belt  also  extends  through  this  region,  including 
valuable  mines  of  gold  and  silver,  galena  and  coal,  to  which 
we  will  give  a  more  extensive  description  hereafter,  under 
the  title  of  "  Mining  Districts  and  Mines." 


CHAPTER  n. 

1.  Climate. 

The  climate  is  varied  in  the  mountain  region  from  ex- 
treme heat  to  the  freezing  point.  In  the  winter  season,  the 
cold  weather  commences  in  the  latter  part  of  October,  and 
reaches  the  lowest  degree,  or  freezing  point,  from  Novem- 


23 


ber  to  March.  Ice  sometimes  appears  in  October,  but  not 
usually  till  November  or  December.  In  the  settlements 
nearest  the  mountains  the  frosts  set  in  earlier  than  in  the 
interior.  In  the  latter  region,  three  or  four  years  often  pass 
without  any  frost,  especially  near  the  coast.  This  is  true  of 
Ilerrnosillo,  Buena  Vista,  Alamos,  and  in  the  valleys  of  the 
rivers  Yaqui  and  Mayo.  The  warm  season  commences  in 
May,  and  the  heat  becomes  extreme  during  the  months  of 
June,  July,  and  August. 

At  Hermosillo,  Guaymas,  Ures,  Buena  Vista,  and  San 
Antonio  de  la  Huerta,  the  mercury  reaches  above  one  hun- 
dred degrees  during  the  months  last  mentioi  ed.  In  Sep- 
tember refreshing  rains  fall,  and  continue  during  the  winter 
season.  A  hot  wind  occasionally  visits  Hermosillo  during 
the  months  of  June,  July,  and  August,  which  blows  from 
eleven  in  the  morning  till  four  in  the  afternoon,  during 
which  hours  business  practically  ceases.  The  inhabitants 
seek  shelter  in  their  houses,  and  no  one  ventures  forth  un- 
less driven  by  necessity.  These  hot  winds  are  a  terror  to 
the  Sonorians,  and  they  remember,  with  some  degree  of  ap- 
prehension, a  time  in  which  the  wind  scorched  the  skin  like 
the  heat  of  a  furnace,  and  drove  the  hares,  deer,  coyotes, 
and  other  wild  animals  to  the  settlements  for  refuge,  while 
plants  and  trees  were  literally  scorched  out  at  the  root. 
This  "  viento  caliente,'"  or  hot  wind,  also  springs  upon  Guay- 
mas suddenly  sometimes,  and  blows  for  twenty-four  hours 
without  intermission.  On  reaching  the  coast  it  meets  the 
damp  and  cooler  atmosphere,  and  by  the  time  it  passes 
about  three  miles  over  the  gulf,  its  heat  is  absorbed,  and  it 
vanishes.  Water  may  be  kept  cool,  however,  in  jars,  even 
during  the  prevalence  of  this  wind.  In  the  beginning  of 
June  the  poorer  classes  abandon  the  interior  of  their  adobe 
houses,  and  sleep  in  the  corridors  or  court-yards.  Others 
often  sleep  in  the  streets  before  their  doors,  for  the  heat  is 
insulferable  within  their  houses. 

At  Hermosillo  and  some  other  towns  a  southern  ])reeze 
springs  up  about  eight  o'clock,  und  continues  during  the 
night,  making  the  attempt  to  sleep  more  bearable  ;  but,  if 
the  breeze  fails  to  put  in  an  appearance,  the  sleei)y  god  is 
courted  in  vain.  At  Arispe,  Bacuachi,  and  Frontreras,  the 
winter  lasts  longer  than  the  summer  ;  and  at  Santa  Cruz, 
near  the  northern  Ijoundary  of  the  state,  the  altitude  of  the 
surrounding  mountains  is  such,  that  the  temperature  varies 
from  the  cool  and  pleasant  to  the  freezing  point.  Serious 
epidemics  are  unknown;  and  at  Hermosillo  the  only  dis- 


24 


eases  that  prevail,  and  that  to  a  limited  extent,  are  phthisis 
and  diarrhea.  On  the  rivers  Oposura  and  Sahuaripa, 
"goitre,"  or  swelled  neck,  appears  on  the  necks  of  men, 
but  mostlv  on  the  women.  The  disease  is  called  ^^buche" 
hy  the  Spaniards.  Intermittent  fevers  often  prevail,  prob- 
ably caused  by  the  immoderate  use  of  fruit,  in  the  interior; 
but  they  are  of  short  continuance.  We  may  justly  affirm 
that  the  climate  is,  on  the  whole,  salubrious,  and  is  really 
more  healthy  than  that  of  the  adjoining  States,  or  the  cen- 
tral part  of  the  republic.  The  atmosphere  is  pure  and  dry, 
entirely  free  from  malaria,  with  but  one  exception,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Santa  Cruz,  where  the  adjacent  swamps 
sometimes  induce  fever.  The  interior  of  the  State  is  en- 
tirely free  from  noxious  vapors.  The  air  is  pure  and  healthy, 
sweeping  over  the  plains  and  through  valleys  from  the  sier- 
ras and  the  sea. 

In  Guaymas,  Matape,  Horcositas,  Arispe,  and  Altar,  per- 
sons are  found  who  have  attained  to  ages  ranging  over  a 
century.  The  average  duration  of  life,  with  the  observance 
of  prudence  and  temperance,  ranges  from  seventy  to  eighty 
years,  says  Velasco.  "  Owing  to  the  practice  of  vaccination,, 
small-pox  rarely  makes  its  appearance.  Venereal  diseasea 
are  not  common,  except  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  rivers 
Yaqui  and  Mayo,  and  on  the  coast.  Catarrhs  frequently  ap- 
pear in  a  mild  form  during  the  changes  of  the  seasons. 
One  may  sleep  in  the  open  air  with  perfect  impunity,  and 
experience  no  inconvenience.  The  diseases  that  affect  chil- 
dren are  diarrhea,  intermittent  fevers,  vomiting,  ophthalmia^ 
eruptions  of  the  face,  and  other  difficulties  that  accompany 
teething.  These  diseases,  owing  to  the  lack  of  medical 
skill,  produce  a  mortality  among  children  that  carries  off 
one-fourth  from  birth  up  to  the  period  of  teething,  annually. 
After  this  critical  period,  good  health  generally  attends  thera 
to  the  age  of  puberty." 

2.    Soil  and  Productions. 

The  soil  along  the  coast,  from  the  valley  or  delta  of  the 
Colorado  to  the  Altar  or  Magdalena  River,  is  mostly  unfit 
for  productions  of  any  kind,  and  the  land  south  of  the  Altar 
River  is  used  for  grazing  purposes,  from  the  port  of  La  Lib- 
ertad  on  the  coast,  in  places  where  the  sand  plains  are  not 
prevalent,  to  the  Yaqui  River.  The  exceptions  are  on  the 
Altar  or  Magdalena  Creek  or  river  and  its  branch  the  Saa 
Ignacio,  and  the  river  Sonora.     Wherever  no  streams  exist. 


25 

it  may  be  safely  said  the  soil  cannot  be  cultivated.  Very 
good  gi"azing  lands  are  found  occasionally,  from  La  Libertad 
to  Guaymaa  or  in  its  neighborhood.  On  the  San  Ignacio, 
sweet  and  sour  oranges,  lemons,  citrons,  limes,  pomegranates, 
and  peaches  are  raised.  The  territory  between  the  San  Igna- 
cio and  the  river  Altar,  produces  cotton  of  excellent  quality. 
Several  large  plantations  are  in  this  vicinity,  one  of  which  is 
devoted  to  the  raising  of  this  valuable  production.  Cotton- 
mills  are  here  erected,  owned  by  the  Ortizes  of  Her/aosillo. 
Also  the  "  guava "  is  cultivated,  and  the  plantain-tree  at- 
tains a  large  size,  bearing  a  heavj'^  burden  of  fruit. 

In  and  around  the  territory  of  Hermosillo  large  vineyards 
are  located,  from  which  considerable  quantities  of  ^'- agua- 
diente"  or  brandy  and  wine  are  produced.  Wheat  is  also 
grown  in  this  locality,  with  beans,  lentils.  Chili  peppers, 
garlic,  onions,  and  sweet  potatoes.  The  fruits  are  abundant, 
and  the  grape,  muskmelons,  and  watermelons,  are  raised  of 
excellent  quality.  Orchards  containing  figs,  apples,  peaches, 
pears,  apricots,  etc.,  are  found  in  this  neighborhood.  Cotton 
was  first  experimented  upon  in  1811,  but  was  soon  after 
abandoned,  and  was  again  continued  in  1842,  and  carried  on 
up  to  the  present  time  at  from  12  to  20  miles  west  of  Her- 
mosillo, on  the  plantations  of  Tennaje  and  Palomos,  and  at 
Chino  Gordo,  12  miles  east.  Sugar  is  produced  from  the 
cane,  on  the  coast  near  the  Yaqui  River,  and  at  San  Ignacio 
and  Ceris.  The  average  yield  of  wheat  is  250  to  300  from 
one  bushel  sown,  upon  the  haciendas  of  Messrs.  Antisernes, 
called  the  Topahui,  and  upon  the  haciendas  of  Hermosillo 
it  rates  from  150  to  175  from  one.  Indian  corn  and  beans 
are  extensively  grown  at  San  Antonio,  Santa  Rosa,  on  the 
rivers  Sonora  and  Yaqui  and  Santa  Cruz,  and  other  locali- 
ties. The  bottom  lands  of  the  Yaqui,  Mayo,  and  lands  bor- 
dering upon  the  Sonora  and  Santa  Cruz  rivers,  produce 
wheat,  also.  On  the  river  Yaqui,  beans,  lentils,  sugar-cane, 
cotton,  flax,  indigo  plant,  cofiee,  tobacco,  and  various  kinds 
of  fruits,  are  raised.  Sheep  and  cattle  and  horses  in  immense 
herds  are  raised,  as  well  as  many  domestic  fowls.  The  to- 
bacco has  a  narrow  leaf,  owing  to  the  lack  of  proper  culti- 
vation. 

Extensive  salt-pits  are  also  situated  near  the  mouth  of  the 
river  Vaqui,  on  the  coast.  In  the  same  place,  and  in  the 
mouth  of  the  river  Yaqui,  are  located  the  great  oyster-beds 
of  common  and  pearl  oysters.  The  distance  from  Coccori 
to  Cocliori  is  about  90  miles,  across  the  valley  of  the  river 
Yaqui.     The  whole  of  this  tract  of  laud  is  susceptible  of  a 


26 

high  degree  of  cultivation.  We  will  give,  hereafter,  a 
special  description  of  this  region.  The  soil  is  here  moist 
and  alluvial,  capable  of  raising  all  the  productions  of  the 
temperate  and  tropic  zones.  The  irrigation  is  produced  bj 
annual  overflows  of  the  river,  and  suflices  for  the  produc- 
tion of  wheat,  maize,  and  every  class  of  productions  yet  ex 
perimented  upon.  This  section  may  well  be  com])ared  to 
the  rich  lands  of  Egypt  lying  along  the  banks  of  the  Nile. 
Immense  sugar  plantations  may  be  here  established,  and 
produce  fortunes  for  the  possessor.  The  best  portion  of  this 
land  has  been  granted  by  the  republic  to  a  gentleman  re- 
siding in  Mexico.  Near  Altar,  on  the  Magdalena  or  Altar 
river,  pomegranates,  figs,  and  grapes  are  raised,  and  immense 
herds  of  horses  and  cattle  are  seen  grazing  in  the  vicinity; 
also  extensive  ranches  that  are  exceedingly  fertile  are  here 
located. 

In  the  northern  part  of  the  state,  near  Santa  Cruz,  is  lo- 
cated a  beautiful  valley,  clothed  in  verdure  the  year  round. 
It  is  well  watered  by  the  Santa  Cruz  River,  that  takes  its  rise 
from  a  perpetual  spring  located  t  ■  the  north  of  the  valley. 
Immense  cjuantities  of  stock  are  here  raised,  and  all  kinds 
of  grain,  especially  wheat,  which  is  of  excellent  quality.  It 
also  produces  the  best  red  pepper  of  the  state,  and  its  hides 
find  a  ready  market.  The  distance  from  Santa  Cruz  to 
Villa  de  Guadalupe,  by  way  of  Occua,  Santa  Ana,  Santa 
Marta,  San  Lorenzo,  and  Magdalena,  is  120  miles.  When 
heavy  clothing  is  necessary  at  Santa  Cruz,  other  parts  of  the 
state  are  subjected  to  immense  heat.  Many  swamps  are 
in  the  vicinity,  which  produce  fevers. 

The  Presidio  of  Bacuachi  raises  cattle,  sheep,  and  horses, 
and  produces  good  wheat,  which  is  mostly  grown,  owing  to 
the  early  frosts.  Near  the  I'residio  of  Fronteras,  the  lands 
produce  excellent  wheat, maize,  etc.;  also,  delicious  peaches, 
apples,  and  the  famous  bergamot  pear.  A  creek  runs 
through  this  valley,  which  is  used  to  irrigate  the  neighboring 
lands.  Wild  game  is  abundant  in  the  neighborhood.  The 
plains  adjacent  are  all  fertile  and  well  watered.  The  climate 
is  cool  and  healthy,  and  would  be  an  excellent  place  to  es- 
tablish a  colony.  Indeed,  the  whole  of  the  north-eastern 
part  of  the  state  presents  advantages  that  no  other  part  of 
the  state  combines.  It  is  well  timbered,  has  abundance  of 
water,  and  is  one  of  the  richest  mineral  regions  of  the  state. 

To  convince  one  of  the  remarkable  resources  of  the  state, 
a  visit  to  the  Hacienda  de  la  Alameta,  fifteen  miles  from 
Hermosillo,  owned  formerly  by  the  Artazernes,  will  be  suf- 


27 

ficient  to  satisfy  the  most  skeptical.  On  the  Alameta  are 
miles  of  wheat,  corn,  and  sugar-cane,  and  cotton.  On  this 
hacienda  is  erected  a  flonr-mill  of  the  best  description,  with 
abundance  of  water  power,  and  a  sugar-mill  and  works,  a 
manufactory  of  blankets — the  wool  of  which,  and  the  dye- 
stuffs,  are  grown  on  the  place.  A  wagon  manufactory,  car- 
ried on  for  the  sole  use  of  the  hacienda,  is  also  located  in  its 
limits.  Tobacco  also  is  produced  of  excellent  quality.  Or- 
anges, lemons,  pomegranates,  and  other  tropical  fruits  of  de- 
licious flavor  are  grown  in  abundance.  These  places  are 
simply  principalities,  where  a  man  has  all  the  products  of 
the  earth  under  tribute  and  at  hand.  The  large  cotton-mill 
near  La  Labor,  at  San  Miguel,  was  oflfered  to  San  Francisco 
capitaUsts  on  liberal  terms,  but  was  purchased  by  the 
Ortizes  of  Hermosillo.  The  cotton  is  raised  at  its  very  door. 
Indigo,  brazil-wood,  cochineal,  and  other  dye-stutfs,  grow 
spontaneously  on  the  Yaqui  and  Mayo  rivers;  also  coffee  of 
the  best  quality. 

The  agricultural  resources  we  thus  see  are  rich  beyond 
that  of  any  state  in  the  Republic  of  Mexico.  If  the  state 
were  well  settled  by  an  energetic  clas;  of  immigrants,  the 
future  of  this  famous  state  would  be  of  the  most  flattering 
character.  We  anticipate  jus  such  an  immigration  on  the 
completion  of  the  Southern  Pacific  and  ;  anta  Fe  Railroads. 
We  shall  hereafter  give  some  attention  to  the  railroads  of 
the  state. 


CHAPTER  m. 

Guaymas. 

The  port  of  Guaymas  is  situated  on  the  Gulf  of  California, 
about  sixty  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  river  Yaqui,  in  lati- 
tude 27  deg.  22  miu.  north,  and  longitude  104  deg.  30  min. 
west  of  Cadiz.  It  is  completely  sheltered  from  the  sea,  and 
is  one  of  the  best  harbors  on  the  Pacific.  The  entrance  runs 
north  and  south,  and  is  formed  by  the  island  of  Pujaras  on 
the  east,  and  the 'islands  of  San  Vicente,  Pitayas,  and  Tierra 
Firma  on  the  west.  There  is  also  another  entrance,  called 
Boca  Chica,  formed  by  the  island  of  Pajaras  on  the  south, 
and  the  beach  of  Cochin  on  the  north.  The  length  of  the 
bay  is  from  four  to  five  miles.     The  bottom  is  muddy,  aud 


28 


when  vessels  remaiiD  for  some  time  it  is  necessary  to  sight 
the  anchor  every  fortnight.  The  depth  of  water  at  the 
island  of  Pajaras  is  seven  fathoms,  which  gradually  decreases 
to  two,  along  the  side  of  the  mole.  The  latter,  according 
to  the  opinion  of  mariners,  is  one  of  the  best  on  the  Pacific, 
excepting  that  of  Callao.  The  depth  of  water  at  the  an- 
chorage is  three  fathoms  ;  and  vessels  drawing  fifteen  feet 
are  loaded,  discharged,  and  hove  down  with  facility.  There 
are  three  landing-places,  but  no  fortifications,  although 
there  are  several  points  well  suited  to  the  purpose.  The 
tides  are  irregular  and  uncertain,  being  influenced  by  the 
winds  from  the  gulf.  In  time  of  full  and  new  moon  they 
rise  and  fall  eighteen  to  twenty  inches  ;  and  in  the  autumnal 
equinox,  about  four  feet.  Sailing-vessels  are  often  delayed 
by  calms  in  passing  up  the  gulf  to  reach  the  harbor  ;  but 
since  the  era  of  steamships  has  arrived,  it  will  have  no  appre- 
ciable effect  on  the  commerce  of  the  port,  save  only  with 
sailing-vessels.  The  harbor  abounds  in  various  kinds  of 
delicate  fish  and  shell-fish.  The  latter  comprises  the  shrimp, 
crab,  lobster,  oyster,  and  mussels  of  difl:erent  kinds.  The 
town  is  situated  on  the  north  of  the  bay,  and  is  surrounded 
by  a  range  of  hills  of  moderate  height,  which  leaves  but  one 
single  entrance  from  the  land  side.  There  is  but  one  prin- 
cipal street,  called  "  Calle  Principal,"  from  the  entrance  to 
the  Plaza  ;  the  others  being  short  and  narrow.  The  soil  is 
dry  and  rocky.  The  climate  is  not  severe  in  winter  ;  but 
the  north  and  north-west  winds  blow  with  great  violence, 
and  cause  much  inconvenience.  The  summer  heat  is  exces- 
sive ;  the  thermometer  occasionally  rising  up  to  lO-l  deg.  in 
the  shade,  and  •never  falling  below  90  deg.,  from  June  to 
September  ;  and  when  the  north  wind  blows  during  this 
season  from  the  dry  and  parched  land  lying  adjacent  and 
north  of  the  city,  it  is  so  dry  and  parching  in  its  eft'ects  that 
it  ruins  the  finer  articles  of  furniture.  The  health  of  the 
place  is  good.  Water,  for  drinking,  is  drawn  from  four  pub- 
lic wells  on  the  skirts  of  the  town,  which  is  carried  in  carts 
and  on  the  backs  of  donkeys,  in  leather  bags.  There  are 
no  trees  in  Guaymas  but  a  few  stunted  ones  in  the  Plaza. 
In  the  suburbs  is  a  large  orange-gruve  planted  by  Mr.  John 
A.  Robinson  of  this  city,  who  resided  some  fifty  years  in 
Sonora.  The  grove  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  I*^.  Graft",  of  Guay- 
mas. Wood  is  scarce,  and  is  brought  from  nine  to  fifteen 
miles  from  the  interior  ;  also  from  the  river  Yaqui  in  boats, 
by  the  Indians,  and  constitutes  the  only  fuel  ;  it  is  sold  by 
the  "'carga,"  or  load.     There  are  two  kinds  of  carga — the 


29  , 

"  burro,"  or  donkey  carga  of  150  pounds ,-  and  "mule  "  carga 
of  300  ;  50  sticks,  or  billets,  as  thick  as  the  wrist,  are 
counted  out,  18  inches  long,  for  the  "burro"  carga,  and 
sell  for  25  cents  per  carga  ;  and  the  same  number  of  twice 
that  length  for  the  '-mule"  carga,  and  a  corresponding 
price  is  demanded.  The  wagon-*  used  are  the  latest  im- 
proved, although  one  sees  occasionally  the  awkward  cart 
coming  in  from  the  ranchos  with  wheels  hewed  or  sawed  ofi 
the  end  of  a  log.  The  houses  are  mostly  adobe,  with  here 
and  there  a  substantial  brick  building.  There  are  about 
one-half  dozen  wholesale  importing  houses,  and  quite  a  num- 
ber of  retail  houses.  The  former  import  direct  from  Europe 
and  the  United  States.  Lumber  is  scarce,  and  is  brought 
from  San  Francisco  and  Puget  Sound.  It  sells  from  thirty 
to  fifty  dollars  per  thousand.  Lumber  is  admitted  free  of 
duty.  There  are  no  banks  either  in  Guaj'mas  or  in  the  State 
of  Sonora  ;  and  business  is  carried  on  with  foreigners  by  ordi- 
nary bills  of  credit,  and  by  drafts  on  San  Francisco,  London, 
Hamburg,  and  Paris  banks.  The  principal  business  firms 
are  Agnilar  &  Co.,  Sandoval  &  Bulle,  l)omingo  Carrez,  G. 
B.  Fourcade,  W.  Iberri„  Arvillez  &  Co.,  J.  J.  Rodgers,  Luis 
Jarequi,  Ramon  Carrizosa,  Agnayo  Bros.,  Echiquyen  &  Esco- 
bos,  and  some  others,  who  do  a  large  wholesile  as  well  as 
retail  trade.  -—..^ 

An  agency  of  Wells  Fargo  is  the  only  American  institu- ^  y^c^ 
tion  findinGT  a  foothold  in  Sonora.     The  American  Consul  is    I 
also  stationed  at  Goaymas.     There  are  quite  a  number  of    j 
hotels,  among  which  might  be  mentioned,  "  Cosmopolitan  ''     ! 
and  '•'  Hotel  de  Guaymas." 

There  is  also  "a  shoe  manufactory,  a  soap  factor^-,  an  ice 
factory,  one  Roman  Catholic  church,  and  public  and  private 
schools.  It  is  not  generally  known  that  compulsory  educa- 
tion is  one  of  the  Mexican  institutions.  Courts  of  the  first 
and  second  instance,  a  hospital,  and  a  railroad  depot,  are 
also  found  in  Guaymas,  of  A.  T.  &  S.  F.  R.  R.  The  popula- 
tion is  about  5,00  J.  The  Atchinson,  Topeka,  and  Santa  Fe 
Railroad,  called  the  Sonora  Railway,  commences  at  Ardilla 
Island,  so  called,  and  runs  north,  crossing  a  bridge  across  a 
portion  of  the  bay  near  the  old  rancho  of  Guaymas.  The 
land  is  level  beyond  tliis  point  ibr  ten  miles,  and  no  grading 
is  necessary.  The  completion  of  this  railway  will  add  to  the 
cointnercial  importance  of  Guaymas,  and  it  will  open  up 
one  of  the  richest  portions  of  the  Republic.  Capital  is  flovv^- 
ing  along  the  line  of  the  railroad,  and  new  towns  are  being 
established  with  the  accustomed  energy  of  pioneer  settle- 
ments. 


30 

East  of  the  town,  the  country  is  more  adapted  to  agricult- 
ure and  grazing.  East  and  south-east,  commencing  about 
sixty  miles  distant,  are  located  the  rich  bottom  lands  of  the 
Yaqni  River,  which  supplj'  the  town  with  fowls,  sheep,  and 
grain.  Flour  and  meat  are  brought  from  the  interior;  Sau 
Antonio  and  Santa  Rosa  furnishing  corn  and  beans  for  the 
Guaymas  market.  Hides  and  bullion,  flour,  and,  in  fact, 
nearly  all  the  exports  of  the  state,  are  shipped  at  this  point. 
There  are  two  Justices  of  the  Peace,  a  judge  of  the  first  in- 
stance, and  a  prefect  and  board  of  aldermen.  The  custom- 
house is  very  much  lacking  in  store-houses  and  offices.  The 
future  of  Guaymas  is  yet  to  come,  through  the  energy  and 
industry  of  foreign  capitalists  and  immigrants.  This  will 
remain  the  port  of  the  state  on  the  gulf,  and  it  will  hold  its 
influence  upon  the  commercial  relations  of  Sonora.  It  will 
eventually  be  the  most  important  town  in  the  state.  The 
railroad  will  soon  connect  it  with  San  Francisco  and  the  East. 
Another  road  is  in  contemplation,  connecting  it  with  Mazat- 
lan  in  the  state  of  Sinaloa,  and  from  thence  to  the  City  of 
Mexico,  which  we  will  notice  more  particularly  hereafter. 
A  new  port.  La  Libertad,  above  Guaymas,  has  been  opened, 
giving  an  immediate  outlet  to  the  valuable  district  of  Altar 
and  north-eastern  Sonora.  A  considerable  amount  of  east- 
ern capital  has  been  invested  in  Guaymas  and  landed  prop- 
erty adjacent.  The  foundries  of  San  Francisco  are  turning 
out  engines,  mills,  and  costly  machinery  for  the  several 
mines  owned  in  part  here.  The  steamship  lines  established 
between  San  Francisco  and  Guaymas  and  Mazatlan  are 
carrying  this  machinery  to  those  ports,  and  from  there  trans- 
ported to  the  interior.  A  new  steamer  has  lately  been 
built  for  the  gulf  trade  above  Guaymas. 

Alamos. 

The  city  of  Alamos  is  situated  some  240  miles  south-east 
from  the  port  of  Guaymas,  on  the  direct  road  by  way  of 
Buena  Vista,  on  the  Yaqui  River.  The  town  is  situated  in 
a  rolling  or  hilly  country,  at  the  base  of  the  Sierra  Madre 
mountains,  and  is  devoted  principally  to  the  mines  in  the 
vicinity,  furnishing  supplies  to  all  the  surrounding  region. 
The  population  is  about  5,000.  We  will  give  a  more  par- 
ticular description  of  the  mines  in  this  district  hereafter. 

There  is  much  business  done  here  with  Chihuahua,  and 
the  northern  part  of  Sinaloa.  The  principal  business  houses 
are  Thomas  Robinson  Bours,  Vincente  Ortiz  &  Hijos,  and 
A.  Goycoolea  &  Co. 


31 

Altar. 

Altar  is  a  small  mining  town  of  about  2,500  inhabitants, 
and  was  formerly  called  Santa  Gertrudis  del  Altar,  and  it  is 
sqpietimes  now  called  Guadalupe.  It  is  watered  by  a  small 
stream  called  Rio  de  la  Assurapcion,  branching  from  the 
Altar  or  Magdalena  river.  The  stream  is  insufficient  for 
irrigation  in  the  dry  season.  The  town  is  situated  near  the 
banks  of  the  stream  upon  a  plain  about  80  miles  northeast 
from  the  gulf  coast,  and  about  100  miles  from  La  Libertad, 
which  is  located  southeast  on  the  coast.  The  plains  on  the 
west  are  dry  and  sandy,  and  are  a  part  of  the  great  Colorado 
desert,  which  extends  down  the  coast  near  Lobos,  about  50 
miles  distant  in  a  south-west  direction.  The  discovery  of 
mines  of  gold  and  silver  in  the  vicinity  of  Altar  gave  it  a 
great  impetus  at  one  period  in  its  history.  It  is  mostly 
built  of  adobe  houses,  and  contains  several  retail  shops,  one 
church,  two  justices  of  the  peace,  a  prefect,  andjudge  of  the 
first  instance.  The  town  is  garrisoned  by  a  few  soldiers,  and 
the  streets  are  irregular.  East  of  the  town  are  situated 
ranchos  exceedingly  fertile  and  abundantly  watered.  The 
place  is  distant  from  Santa  Cruz  about  120  miles,  which  lies 
in  a  north-east  direction  by  way  of  Magdalena  and  Arispe. 
Santa  Magdalena  is  about  70  miles  distant.  The  latter 
town  is  also  called  San  Ignacio,  and  is  located  due  east  of 
Altar,  in  a  beautiful  valley.  The  number  of  inhabitants  is 
about  3,000. 

The  stage  connects  at  Magdalena  with  Hermosillo  on  the 
south-east  and  thence  to  Guaymas,  and  on  the  north  with 
Tucson  by  way  of  Tombstone  and  Benson,  Arizona. 

Hermosillo. 

Hermosillo  is  the  largest  town  in  the  State  and  numbers 
about  12,000  inhabitants.  It  is  situated  in  a  valley  about 
three  and  a  half  leagues,  or  about  ten  miles  in  length  and 
five  in  breadth,  sheltered  on  the  north  by  valleys,  hills, 
and  on  the  west  by  the  range  of  hills  called  "Chanate,"  and 
on  the  east  by  the  "Cerro  de  la  Campana" — hill  of  the  bell 
— so-called  because  its  rocks,  when  struck  together,  produce 
a  sound  similar  to  that  of  a  bell.  The  base  of  tliis  hill  is 
bathed  by  a  small  stream  or  river  called  the  Sonora,  run- 
ning from  east  to  west,  which  is  sufficient  to  irrigate  the 
lands  between  San  Juanica  and  Chanate,  cultivated  by  the 
inhabitants  of  the  city,  and  of  the  pueblo  of  Ceris,  which  is 


32 


in  sight  to  the  south;  the  said  lands  being  in  length,  from 
east  to  west,  12  to  15  miles. 

A  large  aqueduct  passes  through  the  middle  of  the  settle- 
ment, which  serves  for  irrigating  the  neighboring  lands. 
Another  passes  near  the  river  and  ihe  Cerro  de  la  Campailfe, 
and  a  third  divides  the  city  north  and  south,  furnishing 
water  to  the  houses  and  orchards  of  orange,  citron,  lime, 
and  fig  trees,  pomegranates  and  peach  trees  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, as  well  as  immense  fields  of  wheat,  corn,  and 
other  cereals.  The  average  annual  quantity  of  its  agricult- 
ural products  reaches  to  about  70,000  bushels  of  wheat  and 
about  300,000  bushels  of  Indian  corn,  and  an  immense  quan- 
tity of  other  cereals.  Large  vineyards  of  grapes,  from 
which  brandy  and  wine  are  produced,  and  plantain  trees  of 
enormous  growth,  mingle  with  the  rich  landscape.  The 
wine  produced  is  hard  to  keep,  owing  to  its  tendency  to 
sour,  and  it  is  mostly  manufactured^  into  brandy  or  aguadi- 
ente.  The  Tennage  and  Paloraos  cotton  plantations  are 
located  from  twelve  to  twenty  miles  west  of  the  city,  and  at 
the  Chi  no  Gordo,  about  twelve  miles  east.  Sugar-cane  has 
not  been  very  successfully  grown  in  this  vicinity  ;  but  at 
San  Juanica  and  Ceris  it  is  raised  in  small  quantities.  The 
capital  of  the  State  is  located  here,  and  the  Legislature 
meets  biennially,  the  same  as  under  the  Constitution  of 
California.  The  Constitution  of  the  State  of  Sonora  is 
mostly  copied  from  the  old  Constitution  of  California.  The 
streets  of  the  city  are  kept  clean  and  are  well  paved.  The 
principal  street  is  called  the  "Calle  Principal,"  the  same  as 
in  Guaymas.  The  public  buildings  are,  the  capitol,  the 
mint,  the  assaj^er's  office,  and  municipal  buildings,  includ- 
ing the  prison  and  public  school,  and  one'  or  two  churches. 
The  school  is  held  in  a  building  purcliased  by  the  city,  and 
consists  of  two  departments,  male  and  female.  The  number 
of  pupils  is  about  600.  Public  examinations  are  held  every 
six  months. 

There  are  several  hotels.  The  principal  ones  are,  the 
"Iturbide,"  "Nacional,"  "  Cinco  de  Mayo,"  and  "Cosmo- 
politan." All  are  one-story  adobes,  with  a  court  in  the 
center,  where  the  guests  are  obliged  to  sleep  in  the  summer 
season.  The  houses  are  nearly  all  one-story  adobe  build- 
ings, with  occasional  brick  residences  and  buildings.  A 
new  Catholic  church  is  in  course  of  construction.  The 
principal  plaza,  in  front  of  the  church,  is  the  most  attract- 
ive feature  of  the  city,  and  is  set  with  orange  trees  and 
evergreens  and  covered  with  lawn  grass,  with  enticing  paths, 


33 


meandering  through  flower  beds,  and  bordered  with  orange 
trees,  which  afford  an  excellent  sliade.  Ii;  is  kept  open  all 
the  time,  and  is  provided  with  convenient  seats  for  the 
leisure-taking  Sonorians.  An  eye-witness  ]  rouonnccs  it,  in 
.  "  size,  beauty,  and  arrangement,  as  exteHing  any  in  ISvUi  Fran- 
cisco." The  whole  is  sunoinuled  with  a  very  jirettj'  iron 
fence.  In  the  center  is  ii  grand  stand,  from  which  music  is 
wafted  upon  the  evening  breeze  Tliursday  and  Saturday 
nights,  on  which  occasions  it  is  the  favorite  resort  of  the 
people  of  the  city.  The  ladies  of  Sonora  are  very  beautiful, 
and,  indeed,  the  town  is  known  as  the  place  of  beautiful 
women. 

The  ladies  of  Hermosillo  of  the  higher  class  never  go  on 
the  street  with  their  faces  uncovered.  The  "  mantilla"  of 
rich  and  gorgeous  material  is  very  gracefully  thrown  over 
the  head,  and  one  portion,  with  that  indescribable  drapery 
for  which  the  Spanish  ladies  are  noted,  is  carelessly  thrown 
across  the  lower  part  of  the  face,  concealing  the  features, 
and  over  the  shoulder,  while  the  beautiful  eyes,  some  lus- 
trous black  and  others  of  blue,  only  are  revealed  to  the  gaze 
of  the  spectator,  as  they  float  along  with  that  grace  of  car- 
riage and  modest  demeanor  for  whicih  the  Spanish  ladies  are 
80  celebrated.  The  latest  styles  from  Paris  are  ordered, 
and  Worth  has  many  customers  throughout  the  re[»ublic. 
The  descendants  of  the  ancient  Castilians  are  to  be  seen  in 
blondes  as  well  as  brunettes  ;  and  although  the  taste  of  the 
people  is  generally  in  favor  of  bright  colors,  still  fashion  has 
been  wielding  her  scepter  in  Mexico  as  well  as  in  the  United 
States. 

Hermosillo  is  celebrated,  as  well  as  the  rest  of  the  state, 
for  the  fecundity  of  its  women.  It  is  not  unusual  to  see  a 
family  with  from  15  to  25  children.  As  an  instance  in  point, 
there  is  a  lady  residing  in  Hermosillo  weighing  2G0  poimds, 
tall  and  handsome  withal,  in  spite  of  her  corpulence,  who  is 
the  last  of  a  family  of  28  children.  This  fact  is  vouched  for 
by  a  well-known  citizen  of  this  city.  Another  gentleman, 
an  American  by  birth,  and  at  one  time  a  prominent  citizen 
of  Guaymas,  but  now  residing  in  this  citj^,  married  a  Span- 
ish or  Mexican  lady,  and  is  the  fortunate, father  of  no  less 
than  17  children.  The  children  of  Sonora  go  almost  naked, 
and  thrive  remarkably  well,  since  the  statement  of  Velasco 
that  there  is  a  great  mortality  among  children,  to  which  we 
have  already  referred.  The  prominent  citizens  even  dress 
their  children  only  with  a  shirt,  hat,  and  boots. 

The  business  of  the  place  is  confined  to  the  port  of  Guay- 


34 


mas  and  the  interior  of  the  state.  There  are  about  30  shops 
and  mercantile  establishments  in  the  city.  The  town  is  the 
favorite  resort  for  travelers  through  the  state.  The  princi- 
})al  business  men  of  the  i)hice  are  the  Ortizes,  Camous,  Pes- 
(^uiera,  Kuix  &  ^llascareuas,  Carlos  Maneti,  Alvistiqui  & 
Alatorre,  ai:d  Antonio  Calderon.  Most  i  these  business 
houses  import  direct  from  Europe  and  the  United  States.  The 
houses  of  Ortiz  and  the  Camou  Bros,  are  probably  as  strong 
financially  as  any  in  the  republic.  The  Ortizes,  besides 
owning  a  large  number  of  hacien  !as,  comprising  several 
hundre  :  thousand  acres,  stocked  with  immense  herds  of 
cattle  and  horses  and  flocks  of  sheep,  and  several  of  the  best 
mining  properties  of  the  state,  own  the  large  cotton-mill, 
called  ''Industria  Sonoreuse,"  which  employs  about  300  men 
and  women;  also  a  sugar-mill  and  tannery.  All  these  mills 
are  located  at  Los  Angeles,  on  the  San  Miguel  River,  The 
Camou  Bros,  own  several  large  haciendas,  also,  with  their 
thousands  of  cattle  and  horses,  mules,  sheep,  and  large  mines. 
They  also  own  the  steam  flour-mill,  located  at  the  city  of 
Hermosillo,  and  another  at  El  Molino  Rancho.  The  town 
of  Hermosillo  is  orderly,  and  the  police  regulations  good. 
There  is  a  very  good  market-place  for  the  sale  of  meat  and 
vegetables,  but  no  bakeries,  such  as  are  seen  in  the  United 
States,  in  the  city.  Water  is  found  in  abundance  in  wells, 
at  the  depth  of  20  or  30  feet.  Wood  is  plentiful,  and  brought 
from  the  timber,  about  two  or  three  miles  distant.  A  natu- 
ral cement  stone  is  within  the  town  limits,  that  is  easil.' 
quarried,  being  soft,  until  it  hardens  on  exposure.  It  may- 
be quarried  and  used  f(M'  building  pur[)Oses.  There  is  also 
a  fine  clay,  used  in  the  manufacture  of  brick,  in  the  vicinity. 
There  is  also  a  shoe  factory  and  wagon  factory,  and  plenty 
of  carpenter  and  blacksmith  shops,  etc., worked  by  foreigners. 
Wardrobes  and  other  pieces  of  furniture  a;e  manufactured 
m  the  town. 

The  railroad  now  being  built  from  Guaymas  will  add  to 
the  business  energy  of  the  city,  and  its  future  is  assured  as 
the  most  important  inland  city  in  the  State.  There  is  a  club 
in  the  city  called  the  "  Casion."  of  about  one  hundred  mem- 
bers, of  the  principal  citizens  of  the  place,  located  in  the 
former  magnificent  residence  of  Gov.  l*esquiera  ;  also  a 
theater;  and  society  is  of  the  gayest  during  the  sessions  of 
the  Legislature,  when  balls  and  receptions  are  quite  frequent. 
Th^  re  is  no  gas  in  the  city  ;  but  an  attempt  is  being  made 
to  organize  a  company  for  that  jturiiose.  The  streets  and 
houses  are  lighted  by  lamps.     Seuor  Falizardo  Torres  is  the 


35 


superintendent,  and  Mr.  Edward  Norman,  is  the  cashier. 
We  are  informed  that  the  mint  here,  the  two  mints  of  Sina- 
loa  and  tlie  mints  of  Chihuahua  and  Duraiigo  are  leased  to 
Messrs.  Simon  &  Co.,  of  England,  making  live  in  all,  or  th»' 
mints  of  the  four  northern  State^;.  Wc  also  understand  tli.it 
they  hold  Mexican  bonds  to  a  heavy  amoant.  Robt.  Simon, 
of  this  firm,  residing  in  New  York,  is  said  to  be  very  influ- 
ential with  the  Mexican  government. 

There  are  two  stage  lines  rntming  from  Tucson  to  llerrao- 
sillo;  one  by  Sasabe  and  .^  Itar,  whicli  is  the  longer  route, 
and  tlie  stages  are  slower  and  are  Jiot  in  so  good  comhtion 
as  the  stages  on  the  other  route,  thougii  the  fare  is  cheaper. 
The  fare  over  this  route,  by  buying  the  ticket  at  Tucson  for 
Guaymas,  that  is,  by  way  of  Altar,  is  $24.  The  other  route 
is  by  way  of  Calal)asas  and  Magdalena.  The  difference  in 
]>rice  is  not  much  ;  but  the  stages  are  better,  and  horses 
faster,  insuring  a  quicker  trip.  The  distance  from  Tucson 
to  Hermosillo  is  about  one  hundred  leagues,  through  ,Magda- 
lena,  and  the  ride  is  turough  a  beautiful  country  ;  conse- 
quently this  is  the  most  popular  route.  A  sixteen  hours' 
ride  from  Hermosillo,  reaches  Guaymas,  over  about  one 
hundred  miles. 

Immense  herds  of  cattle  are  passed  on  the  way,  of  from 
0,000  to  10,000  head  in  each,  handled  by  gaily-decked 
caballeros,  who  are  fine  riders,  and  very  gracefully  bestride 
very  beautiful  horses.  They  are  very  fine  looking  in  appear- 
ance ;  and  with  their  gaudy  sertipes  and  sombreros,  are 
withal  very  prepossessing. 

A  writer  to  the  Farmer  and  Dealer^  San  Francisco,  says  : 

"The  Sonora  Railway,  Limited,  has  already  nearly  100 
miles  graded  from  Hermosillo,  on  their  route  to  or  near  El 
Paso,  where  they  connect  with  the  Atcheson,  Topeka  and 
Santa  Fe  road,  which  gives  direct  railroad  communication 
with  Chicago  and  the  East ;  30  miles  of  steel  rails  on  hand; 
track-laying  has  begun,  and  the  locomotive  whistle  has 
already  sounded  the  death-knell  of  the  old  ox-train  trans- 
portation to  and  from 'Hermosillo,  and  I  have  no  doubt  the 
poor  oxen  will  rejoice.  The  first  of  March  next  is  the  time 
set  for  the  opening  of  the  100  miles  of  road.  Another  road, 
called  the  Tilexican  Central,  from  the  capital  to  El  Paso,  has 
about  1,000  men  employed  at  the  southern  end.  These  two 
roads  will  drain  the  whole  country,  and  open  to  American 
enterprise  a  rich  field  for  operation. 

"  Already,  in  anticipation  of  the  future,  American  capital 
is  flowing  into  Sonora  ;  no  less  than  six  mines,  ranging  in 


3fi 


price  from  $200,000  upwards,  having  been  sold  to  New- 
York  and  Cliicago  parties  in  the  last  six  months,  and  more 
are  coming  every  day. 

"For  the  gold  mine  of  Los  Mulatos,  $1,000,000  has  been 
refused." 

The  distance  from  Hermoslllo  to  Ures  is  about  fifty  miles, 
situated  north-east,  and  to  Arispe,  150  miles  north-east  of 
Ures,  and  Santa  Cruz,  about  250  miles  ;  thence  170  miles  to 
Tucson  by  way  of  Magdalena,  distant  300  miles,  and  is 
about  100  miles  by  stage  from  Guaymas. 

Ures. 

This  town  was  formerly  the  capital  of  the  State,  and  is 
situated  in  a  most  beautiful  valley,  stretching  from  east  to 
west,  the  soil  of  which  is  exceedingly  fertile  and  suitable  for 
the  production  of  all  kinds  of  fruits,  excellent  wheat,  sugar- 
cane and  cotton  of  superior  quality.  The  environs  are 
picturesque  and  pleasing  to  the  eye  of  the  visitor.  It  is 
located  on  the  Sonora  River,  and  on  the  road  from  Hermo- 
sillo  and  Alameda,  a  road  lined  with  trees  on  each  side 
similar  to  the  Alameda  between  San  Jose  and  Santa  Clara  in 
this  State  :  the  road  in  this  instance  being  bordered  with 
trees  on  either  side  for  four  miles,  and  presents  an  elegant 
drive  for  the  residents  of  Ures. 

The  town  originally  was  environed  with  numerous 
creeks  that  threatened  it  with  inundations,  when  it  was  re- 
moved upon  a  neighboring  plateau.  The  town  is  not  so 
large  as  Ilermosillo,  j'et  its  neat  aud  elegant  gardens  of  rare 
and  beautiful  flowers,  lime,  orange,  and  citron  groves, 
make  it  a  gem  of  a  little  city.  There  are  some  very  sub- 
stantial residences  of  brick  scattered  here  and  there  among 
the  adobe  houses,  and  even  elegant  residences,  among 
which  may  be  mentioned  Gov.  Pesqueira's  residence,  hand- 
somely fu  rnished.  A  large  orchard  is  attached  to  his  resi- 
dence and  grounds,  with  orange,  lime,  lemon,  peach,  and 
olive  trees  bearing  finely,  besides  an  extensive  vineyard. 

Since  the  capital  of  the  State  was  removed  to  Hermosillo 
the  population  has  shrunk  from  10,000  to  5,000.  There  is 
quite  a  rivalry  between  the  two  cities,  and  the  dispute  over 
the  capital  is  not  yet  ended.  If  the  Atchison,  Topeka  aud 
Santa  F^  Railroad  passes  up  the  Sonora  river  to  El  Paso,  it 
will  pass  through  this  place.  There  is  a  vast  agricultural 
aud  mining  country  around  and  adjacent  to  the  city,  and 
business  is  quite  extensive.      There  are  some  heavy  com. 


37 

mercial  firms  in  the  city,  iiraoQg  wliich  may  be  meutioned 
Lauro  Morales,  Joaquin  Villaes,  Cusa  &  Co.,  Francisco  Iler- 
nandez,  Manuel  Morales  &  Co.  and  Francisco  C.  Aguilar. 
The  cHmate  is  much  cooler  at  Ures  than  at  Ilermosillo,  and 
one  is  able  to  sleep  within  doors.  Among  the  important 
haciendas  of  arable  land  may  be  mentioned,  Santa  Rita, 
Molino,  Guadalupe,  Ti.pahui  and  others.  There  are  no  im- 
portant public  buildings  except  certain  small  houses  pur- 
chused  during  the  administration  of  General  Urea  to  form  a 
palace,  a  penitentiary  or  House  of  Correction.  Excellent 
stone  for  building  is  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  city.  The 
principal  hotel  is  the  Gubion,  kept  l)y  a  Frenchman. 

The  Rancho  of  Gov.  Pesquiera,  called  Las  Delicias,  is  lo- 
cated about  60  miles  distant  by  way  of  Canada  Andia,  El 
Puertecito,  El  Molinate,  Soqui,  San  Jose,  La  Estancia,  La 
Concha  and  Baviacora.  The  last  named  town  was  once  an 
important  place,  with  a  population  of  8,000,  and  is  situated 
in  a  pretty  little  valley  one  mile  from  the  Sonora  River, 
in  one  of  the  most  fertile  and  beautiful  districts  of  the 
State. 

The  grounds  of  the  hacienda  of  Las  Delicias  is  fenced  in 
and  laid  out  with  orange  and  lime  groves  and  flower  gar- 
dens, containing  rare  flowers.  The  hacienda  consists  of  a 
little  over  30,000  acres  of  arable  land,  and  about  one-fifth 
is  first-class  agricultural  land,  devoted  to  the  raising  of 
wheat,  Indian  corn,  potatoes,  etc.;  the  balance  is  very  good 
grazing  land,  covered  with  alfalfa  and  gramma  grass.  It  is 
situated  in  a  valley  of  considerable  extent.  Gov.  Pes- 
quiera has  made  this  hacienda  his  residence,  owing  to  the 
existence  of  rich  mines  in  the  vicinity,  which  are  owned  by 
him,  and  demand  his  attention  in  working  them. 

Among  the  reptiles  that  are  found  in  the  State  may  be 
mentioned  the  scorpion,  whose  sting  is  deadly.  Rumor 
says  that  they  are  more  deadly  in  the  interior  than  on  the 
coast. 

One  citizen  near  Gu:iymas  was  recently  bitten  by  one 
of  these  reptiles  on  the  hand.  lie  simply  twisted  a  strong 
India-rubber  band  around  his  wrist  to  keep  the  poison  from 
communicating  to  the  rest  of  the  system,  and  took  some 
ammonia,  and  the  wound  soon  healed,  without  any  serious 
result  following.  Strong  spirits  are  generally  used  to  work 
off  the  virus  from  the  S3stem. 

Santa  Cruz  is  the  most  northern  town  of  Sonora,  distant 
aooat  1'20  miles  from  the  boundary  line  of  Chihuahua  and 
ten  to  fifteen  from  the  boundary  line  of  Arizona,  and  situ- 


38 


ated  oil  a  road  direct  to  Guadalupe  or  Altar,  which  passes 
through  Oceaa,  Sa  ita  Ana,  iSanta  Marta,  San  Lorenzo, 
Santa  Magdulcna,  or  San  Ignacio,  Tenenate,  Iniuris,  and  San 
Lazaro.  The  population  is  about  800.  The  town  is  located 
in  a  beautiful  valley,  clothed  in  verdure  the  eutire  year,  iu 
latitude  32  degrees  15  minutes  north,  and  in  a  region  that  is 
pronounced  to  be  the  best  agricultural  region  of  the  State, 
outside  of  the  bottom  lands  of  tlie  rivers  Yaqui  and  Mayo. 
It  is  also  the  best  timbered  of  auy  portion  of  the  northern 
part  of  the  state,  and  in  other  respects  presents  advantages 
to  the  settler.  Indeed,  the  valley  of  Santa  Cruz,  with  its 
adjacent  districts,  where  there  are  several  rich  and  highly- 
cultivated  haciendas  and  missions,  must  become  the  future 
granary  of  Arizona.  The  Santa  Cruz  River  rises  in  a  broad 
vaUey,  or  rather  plain,  north  of  the  town,  and  passes  the 
base  of  a  mountain  range  through  an  open  country,  studded 
with  oaks,  into  an  open  plain  covered  with  luxuriant  grass, 
without  tree  or  shrub.  It  then  passes  between  a  low  range 
of  hills  into  the  valley  where  the  town  is  located.  The 
river  then  flows  couth  nine  miles  to  San  Lorenzo — a  consid- 
erable rancho — and  then  takes  a  northerly  course,  winding 
its  way  through  a  beautiful  valle}^  until  it  is  lost  across  the 
line  into  Arizona,  in  the  desert  ])lain  or  sands  some  ten  or 
fifteen  miles  'lorth  of  Tucson.  It  is  about  150  miles  in 
length.  Its  width  varies  from  20  to  100  feet,  and  during  dry 
seasons  portions  of  it  disappear.  This  valley  was  traversed 
by  the  earliest  Spanisli  explorers  in  1535,  seduced  by  the 
flattering  accounts  of  Cabela  de  Vaca. 

Mar(.'o  de  Niza  and  Coronaclo  led  their  deluded  adventur- 
ers through  it  in  search  of  the  famed  cities  of  Cibola,  north 
of  the  Gila  River  ;  and  before  IGOO,  its  richness  having 
been  made  known,  it  was  soon  after  occupied  as  missionary 
ground.  Remains  of  several  of  these  missions  still  exist. 
The  ]^Iis;ion  Church  of  San  Xavier  del  J3ac,  erected  during 
the  last  century,  was  the  finest  edifice  of  the  kind  in  Sonora. 
Tumacacori,  a  few  miles  south  of  Tubac,  was  the  most  exten- 
sive. The  towns  and  settlements  of  the  Santa  Cruz  valley, 
across  tlic  line,  in  Sonora,  arc,  Santa  Cruz  and  San  Lorenzo. 
The  lands  of  this  valley  are  suitable  for  stock-raising  and  all 
kinds  of  grain,  especially  wheat,  which  is  produced  of  ex- 
cellent quality. 

Bacuachi. 

The  town  or  Presidio  of  Eacuachi  is  located  about  50 
miles  south-east  from   Santa  Cruz,  on  the  road  to  Arispe, 


39 

which  is  located  on  the  Souora  River.  It  was  at  oue  time 
rich  in  cattle,  sheep,  and  horses;  hut  the  Apaches  swept 
them  away,  and  the  town  hecamo  almost  a  heap  of  ruins. 
It  is  located  in  a  very  fertile  valley,  near  the  haseof  a  range 
of  mountains  on  the  west,  on  the  Sonora  River,  that  rises  in 
a  valley  north  of  the  town  and  across  the  houndarj'  line,  in 
New  Mexico.  It  also  lies  in  a  straight  line  drawn  from  the 
boundary  line  between  Arizona  and  Xew  Mexico,  and  is 
distant  from  the  boundary  line  of  the  United  States  aI)out 
40  miles  within  or  near  the  lower  jiart  of  the  prohihited 
belt.  There  are  gold  mines  in  the  neighborhood  of  marvel- 
ous richness.  The  rich  placers  on  the  tSonora  not  being  very 
distant,  great  quantities  of  this  precious  metal  was  extracted 
from  the  mines  in  the  vicinity,  of  twenty-two  carats  fine. 
The  miners  were  driven  oli"  hy  the  Apaches,  and  the  mines 
were,  consequently,  abandoned.  The  gold  is  coarse,  and 
pieces  have  been  found  weighing  twenty -five  marcs.  These 
mines  might  be  made  to  yield  a  magnificent  return  if  they 
tvere  opened.  The  future  of  this  mining  district  is  just  to 
>pen,  since  the  suppression  of  the  Apaches.  A  colony  of 
miners  will  here  find  a  rich  field;  for  the  whole  region  is 
rich  in  minerals,  and  but  awaits  the  hands  of  man  to  develop 
iheir  vast  resources.  This  locality  has  been  peculiarly  ex- 
posed to  the  incursions  of  the  Apaches,  and  for  that  reason, 
its  mineral  wealth  has  been  withheld  from  the  prospector. 
We  predict  a  tremendous  immi'^ration  to  this  point  and  all 
along  the  headwaters  of  the  Yaqui  River.  The  climate  is 
cool  and  healthful,  and  ei»idemics  or  fevers  are  entirely  un- 
known, while  the  soil  is  of  the  most  fertile  character, 
producing  wheat,  corn,  etc.,  and  presents  a  grazing  region 
unexcelled  anywhere;  and  tiiere  is  an  entire  absence  of 
swamps  that  are  found  in  the  Santa  Cruz  valley,  which 
sometimes  induce  fevers.  There  are  here  two  justices  of  the 
peace,  subject   to  the  sub-prefect  of  Aris[te. 

The  town  of  Fronteras  is  situated  in  latitude  31  deg.  N., 
north-east  of  Bacuachi,  distantabout  35  miles,  and  20  miles 
from  the  boundary  line  of  New  Mexico.  The  t  wn  contains 
but  one  street,  at  the  foot  of  a  creek  whose  waters  irrigate 
the  neighboring  lands,  which  [»roduce  excellent  wheat, 
maize,  etc;  also,  the  delicious  peaches  for  which  Sonora  is 
celebrated,  apples,  and  bcrgaraot  pears.  The  town  is  sit- 
uated 35  miles  north-east  of  Bacuachi,  and  tlie  greater 
part  of  the  road  is  between  dense  thickets.  This  point  was 
the  most  exposed  to  the  A])aches  of  any  in  the  State,  but  is 
now  compai-atively  safe.     The  climate  is    cool  and  healthy, 


40 


timber  is  abundant,  and  game  plentiful.  The  plains  are  fer- 
tile and  well  watered.  Two  justices  of  the  peace  are  located 
here. 

Bapispe  is  situated  about  18  miles  west  of  the  boundary 
Hne  of  Chihuahua,  on  the  banks  of  a  small  creek  which 
empties  into  the  river  Bapepito.  It  is  isolated  from  all 
other  towns,  and  is  situated  about  40  miles  south  of  the 
boundary  line  of  the  United  States  at  New  Mexico,  and  east 
of  Bacuachi  about  90  miles. 

The  creek  passing  the  town  rises  in  a  valley  south-east  of 
the  town  and  flows  north-west  into  a  plain  about  20  miles; 
then  south-west  into  the  Bapepito,  near  Oputo.  A  road  con- 
nects this  town  with  Janos  in  Chihuahua,  about  40  miles  dis- 
tant. This  territory  of  the  Bapispe  district  contains  the 
ttiwns  of  Guachinera  and  Buserac,  and  haciendas  Santa  Ana 
and  Loreto  ;  it  formerly  comprised  a  number  of  wealtljy 
ranches,  but  all  have  been  despoiled  by  the  Apaches.  Bapis- 
pe possesses  excellent  grazing  lands  and  abundance  of  water. 
The  population  is  about  800.  They  are  engaged  principally 
in  the  manufacture  of  soap  and  leather.  About  six  miles  east 
is  located  a  rich  silver  mine,  that  has  not  been  worked  much 
on  account  of  tlje  Apaches. 

Arispe  is  situated  south-west  of  Bacuachi,  on  the  river  So- 
nora,  in  a  valley  skirting  an  immense  table-land  or  plain,  and 
a  range  of  mountains  extending  north-east  and  south-west. 
Extensive  silver  mines  are  located  south-east  in  this  range  of 
mountains,  called  the  Babiconicora  and  Banamiche  ;  also, 
south-west,  the  San  Rosalio  mine  is  located,  also  of  silver, 
The  iiacienda  of  Las  Delicias,  owned  by  Genera]  Pesquiera, 
is  also  situated  south  west  of  Arispe.  A  road  runs  from  Bacu- 
achi along  the  river  Sonora,  in  a  south-westerly  direction, 
through  Bacadobabi,  Chinapa,  Guipaberachi,  Ciniriasanta, 
Ai'is[ie,  Bainori,  Sinoquipe,  Monte[»ort,  Bamanitchi,  Ilue- 
paca,  Mochobavi,  Aconche  Babiacora,  Concepcion,  Purete- 
cito,  San  Francisco,  and  Ures,  distant  about  100  miles.  The 
same  river  passes  Ures  and  Hermosillo  in  the  same  direction,^ 
until  it  is  lost  in  the  sandy  ])lains  on  the  coast,  south-west 
of  Hermosillo,  and  is  about  200  miles  long. 

Moctezuma,  or  Oposura,  is  situated  on  the  Soyopa  River, 
in  a  large  plain,  that  extends  from  the  heal-waters  of  the 
river  Soyopa,  which  runs  almost  due  south  for  about  100 
miles,  and  then  taking  a  south-easterly  course,  empties  inta 
the  river  Yaqui,  about  20  miles  further.  A  road  runs  from 
Moctezuma,  down  the  Soyopa  River  to  the  Yaqui,  and  thence 
along  the  Yaqui   to  Comoripa  and  Buenavista.     This   plain 


41 


is  ODG  of  the  largest  in  tlje  state,  and  over  100  miles  in 
length,  and  about  40  miles  wide  at  its  widest  point.  In  the 
mountain  ranges  west  of  the  head-waters  of  tlie  Bapepito 
are  situated  the  silver  mines  of  El  Pintos,  Sesentero,  San 
Pedro,  El  Rosario,  Cinco  Seiiora,  El  Humacal,  and  Plomosa. 
South-west  of  Soyopa,  on  this  river,  is  located  the  Mina 
Prieta  copper  mine,  and  the  silver  mines  of  El  Paste,  and 
Los  Brjnces.  East  of  the  latter,  the  La  Barranca,  and  the 
great  gold  mine  called  the  San  Antonio  de  la  lluerta;  the 
latter  two  of  which  are  located  near  the  mouth  of  the  Soyopa 
River. 

Sahuaripa  is  a  small  town  located  on  a  branch  of  the 
Bapepito,  east  of  the  river  of  that  name,  and  distant  from 
Bacuachi  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  south-east  by 
way  of  the  road  through  Bapepito  aiid  Oputo,  crossing  the 
branch  of  the  river  ;  thence  south,  along  the  Bapepito,  to 
Cicuega,  Guainipa,  lascotol,  and  crossing  the  Bapepito  to 
Huasavas;  thence  to  Baca  de  Huachi,  crossing  again  the  same 
river  ;  thence  south-east  toNocori,  on  the  river  Viejo,  which 
empties  into  the  Bapepito  south-west  about  fifteen  miles  ; 
thence  to  Palmar,  Casa,  Sau  Gabrielle,  through  the  silver 
mine  of  San  Felipe  to  Sahuaripa. 

This  region  is  well  watered,  and  abundance  of  timber  is 
found  in  the  mountains.  Several  large  haciendas  are  also 
in  the  neighborhood,  along  the  stream  and  between  the  two 
streams  ;  the  stream  on  the  north  being  the  Rio  Viejo, 
which  takes  its  rise  in  the  same  neighboring  mountains  on 
the  east.  North-east  of  Sahuaripa,  distant  about  fifty  miles, 
is  located  the  great  gold  mines  of  Cieneguita  and  the  silver 
mine  called  the  Minas  Prietas  Viejas,  both  of  which  are  lo- 
cated at  the  base  of  the  mountains  ;  the  Cieneguita  being 
north  of  the  latter  about  fifteen  miles. 

A  road  runs  direct  from  the  town  through  a  rancho  to  the 
Minas  Prietas  Viejas  mine.  This  is  a  rich  mineral  region, 
and  will  ere  long  be  completely  settled. 

The  region  north  of  these  mines  has  never  been  completely 
explored,  and  has  not  yet  known  the  tread  of  the  American 
miner.  The  second  main  branch  of  the  river  Yaqui,  called 
the  Papigochi  or  Mulatos,  runs  south  of  this  region,  taking 
a  north-easterly  course  and  emptying  into  the  Bapepito  about 
fifty  miles  .--outh-west  of  Sahuaripa. 

Gold  placers  are  located  east  of  Santa  Cruz,  about  forty 
miles;  and  the  mine  of  La  Cananea  south-east  of  Santa  Cruz 
thirty  miles  ;  and  the  Santa  Teresa  silver  mines  and  San 
Rafael  Valle  silver   mines,    forty    miles   south-west.      The 


42 

Planchas  de  Plata  silver  mines  are  located  west  of  Santa 
Cruz  about  fifty  miles.  The  Altar  mine,  or  mines  surround- 
ing Altar,  are  located  in  many  districts.  West  of  that 
place  the  gold  mines  of  La  Basur.i  are  located  about 
seventy  miles,  and  silver  mines  north-east  of  the  same  mine 
about  ten  miles.  The  Cajitos  gold  mines  are  located  south- 
west of  Altar  about  seventy  miles  ;  and  south-west  of  La 
Basura,  the  placers  of  gold  Micaray,  aud  Alamo  de  Sau 
Feliz,  silver,  are  also  located  about  seventy  miles  ;  also,  the 
silver  mines  of  Los  Palomos  are  located  on  the  river  Assump- 
tion, south-west  of  Altar  about  ninety  miles,  and  about 
seventy  miles  north  of  La  Libertad,  on  the  coast.  South 
of  Altar  about  thirty  miles,  are  located  the  Alamitos,  sil- 
ver, and  La  Tollena,  gold  mines,  near.  The  Mina 
Grande  silver  mine  is  located  about  eighty  miles  south  of 
Altar,  and  Latesote  near  Cienega,  east  about  ten  miles.  Ca- 
borca  gold  mines  are  located  near  the  same  river,  llich 
gold  placers  are  also  found  west  of  Altar  on  tlie  elevated 
plains  abou'  one  hundred  miles  distant ;  and  the  Qaitovac 
gold  mines,  which  were  once  rich,  about  one  hundred 
aud  fifty  miles  north-west  of  Altar.  So  that  the  town 
may  be  said  to  be  completely  surrounded  by  mines. 

Rivers  Yaqui  and  Mayo. 

The  river  Yaqui,  or  Buena  Vista,  rises  in  the  Sierra  Madre 
Maicova,  aud  takes  a  south-westerly  course  through  Bapispe, 
Todos  Santos,  the  pueblo  of  Soyopa,  Honavas,  Tenichi,  San 
Antonio  and  Comuripa,  to  the  city  of  Buena  Vista,  where 
it  enters  the  Yaqui  settlement  and  finally  empties  into  the 
Gulf  of  California,  in  front  of  the  pueblo  of  Uahum.  It  has 
many  branches,  and  may  be  said  to  drain  all  the  region  east 
of  Arispe,  Ures  and  Ilermosilio,  to  the  summit  of  the  Sierra 
Madre  range,  which  divides  tiie  states  of  Sonora  and  Chi- 
huahua, and  north  of  the  river  Mayo. 

One  of  its  branches  called  the  Bapepito  rises  in  the  south- 
eastern portion  of  Arizona;  and  another  called  the  Papi- 
gochi,  or  Mulatos,  at  the  base  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  across  the 
boundary  line  in  south-western  Chihuahua.  It  is  the  largest 
river  of  the  state,  and  is  estimated  to  be  four  hundred  miles 
in  length,  from  its  source  to  its  mouth.  Its  waters  pass 
through  the  richest  agricultural  portion  of  the  state,  and 
through  immense  placers  of  gold,  and  along  the  base  of 
ledges  of  silver,  copper,  galena,  and  tin  ores. 

Its  rich  bottom  lands  are  the  most  fertile  of  any  in  the  state, 


43 


and  raise  in  spots  now  under  cultivation,  wheat,  sugar-cane, 
corn,  cotton,  the  indigo  plant,  tobacco,  and  the  various  cer- 
eals. At  and  near  its  mouth,  where  the  soil  is  not  under  culti- 
vation, immense  cane-brakes  of  a  kind  of  bamboo  extend 
along  its  banks  for  about  sixty  miles.  If  brought  under  con- 
trol by  proper  agriculture,  its  valuable  lands  could  produce 
immense  qnantities  of  all  the  products  that  an  alluvial  soil, 
well  irrigated,  will  produce.  The  best  portion  of  the  lands 
are  in  possession  of  the  Yaqui  Indians,  with  some  exceptions, 
but  its  lands  are  so  extensive  that  after  reserving  sufficient  fcJr 
the  Indians,  millions  of  acres  of  arable  lands  would  remain 
to  be  brought  under  cultivation. 

Here  is  an  oi^portuuity  for  colonization  that  is  unrivaled  in 
tlie  United  States  or  the  Republic  of  Mexico.  The  land  is 
easily  irrigated  from  the  river,  and  would  provide  homes  for 
coli'uization  of  a  large  population.  In  time  of  high  water 
the  river  is  navigable  for  small  vessels  for  from  fifty  to  sev- 
enty-five miles.  Flour-mills  are  located  on  its  banks,  owned 
by  foreigners — the  result  of  foreign  capital  and  energy.  At 
its  mouth  are  located  the  best  oyster-beds  on  the  coast  of  the 
gulf.  We  are  assured  by  parties  who  have  tested  the  quali- 
ties of  these  oj^sters,  that  they  are  equal  to  our  best  Eastern 
bivalves.  !San  Francisco  will  soon  have  the  [)leasurc  of  test- 
ing them  on  the  completion  of  the  Sonora  Railway  con- 
necting Guaymas  with  San  Francisco.  Packed  in  ice  man- 
ufactured at  Guaymas,  they  can  successfully  be  exported 
direct  by  rail  to  San  Francisco,  on  the  completion  of  the 
railroad,  tlius  oi)ening  up  a  new  avenue  for  some  enterpris- 
ing gentleman  who  will  take  the  initiative.  San  Francis- 
cans would  like  to  try  some  of  the  Yaqui  oysters  if  they  are 
as  re))re-ented.  We  understand  that  I)r.  Charles  McQues- 
ten  of  this  city,  and  Rafael  Escobosa  of  Guaymas,  ^ire  now 
the  bond  fide  owners  of  these  oyster  beds,  and  the  extent  of 
their  possession  comprises  one  league  square  in  the  delta  of 
the  Yaqui  at  the  old  mouth.  The  oysters  are  found  in  the 
sloughs  which  extend  from  one  to  two  miles  inland. 

The  basin  of  this  river  at  its  widest  point  is  about 
ninety  miles  wide.  After  the  rains  have  ceased,  the 
river  is  foidable,  though  still  deep  until  the  droughts  in 
April,  May  and  June.  Near  Soyopa,  Buena  Vista,  and 
Honavas,  are  located  a  greater  [iroportion  of  the  best  bottom 
lands.  The  salt-pits  of  the  river,  located  near  the  coast, 
supply  the  interior  towns,  and  are  considered  the  ])roperty 
of  the  Yaquis.  The  annual  overflow  of  the  river  supplies 
sufficient  irrigation  for  one  crop  of  wheat,  maize,  beans,  leu- 


44 


tilt;,  and  various  kinds  of  fruit,  at  the  points  thus  irrigated. 
Cotton,  iiax,  and  coffee,  are  also  succe^^sf  ully  raised.  We  are 
told  by  Velasco,  the  sheep  raised  upon  its  nutritious  grasses 
attain  the  size  of  a  yearling  calf ,  and  make  excellent  mutton. 
Beef  cattle  of  the  best  qualit}'  are  raised.  At  one  time  the 
Mission  of  Huirivis  alone  owned  40,000  head.  The  tobacco 
raised  by  the  Indians  upon  the  banks  of  this  river  is  of  very 
good  quality  ;  and  the  plant  might,  with  proper  cultivation, 
be  equal  to  that  of  Havana.  Immigration  to  this  region 
must  be  of  incalculable  value  to  the  state  in  the  increase  of 
its  productions. 

The  river  Mayo  rises  also  in  the  Sierra  Madre,  and  though 
it  is  smaller,  ^nd  its  bottom  lands  more  narrow  than  those  of 
the  Yaqui,  yet  its  fertility  is  the  same,  and  may  produce  hke 
results  pro[)ortionate  to  the  extent  of  its  lands  that  are  sus- 
ceptible of  cultivation.  The  Mayo  Indians  are  located  on 
its  banks.  The  two  rivers  are  separated  by  a  low  range  of 
hills  or  mountains,  and  the  intervening  hills  are  good  graz- 
ing lands.  The  pueblos  of  the  Mayos,  from  the  sierra  on  the 
east  to  Conicari  on  the  west,  are  Macollagui  in  the  sierra, 
Conicari,  Camoa,  Tecia,  iTabajoa,  Cuirimpo,  Guitajoa,  Echo- 
joa,  Santa  Cruz,  and  Masiaca. 

The  Yaqui  settlements  extend  from  Buena  Vista  to  Belen, 
over  a  territory  of  84  miles  in  length.  A  brig  might  enter 
the  mouth  of  the  river  Mayo,  and  a  harbor  is  located  at  the 
port  of  Loreto,  at  this  point.  It  was  the  first  settlement  of 
the  gulf,  and  renowned  for  its  pearl  fishery,  which  has  pro- 
duced splendid  fortunes.  In  the  gulf,  man}'  large  whales  are 
sometimes  caught,  of  various  kinds;  also,  sharks  of  enormous 
size  haunt  its  coasts,  to  the  great  danger  of  the  pearl  fish- 
ermen, who  are  Yaqui  Indians.  They  always  carry  a  long, 
keen  k^ife  with  them  while  diving  after  pearls,  to  defend 
themselves.  '1  he  "  manta,"  or  blanket  fish,  also,  is  another 
great  enemy  of  theirs,  and  very  formidable.  It  has  fins 
like  the  arms  of  a  man,  says  a  writer,  by  which  it  seizes  its 

The  Presidio  of  Buenavista  is  located  on  the  laqui  River, 
on  the  main  road  to  Alamos,  about  300  miles  from  Arispe,  by 
way  of  Hermosillo,  and  about  260  miles  by  way  of  the  road 
of  Matape,  which  runs  along  the  banks  of  a  stream  by  that 
name,  south  of  Hermosillo.  It  is  situated  upon  a  small 
rocky  promontory  or  hill,  and  is,  consequently,  very  hot.  It 
claims  some  importance  as  a  military  position,  'and  is  sup- 
posed to  present  a  barrier  against  the  revolt  of  the  Yaquis 
and  Mayo  Indians.  Its  soldiers  are  poorly  supplied  and  sel- 
lom  paid. 


45 

The  receut  attempts  to  survey  the  lands  of  the  Yaqui  and 
Mayo  rivers  liave  been  suspended,  awaiting  a  petition  from 
the  Legislature  of  Sonora  to  the  general  government  to 
supply  a  force  of  1,000  soldiers  to  keep  the  Yaquis  in  sub- 
jection during  the  survey  and  location  of  certain  govern- 
ment grants  upon  those  rivers.  For  this  purpose,  a  return 
grant  by  the  owners  to  the  general  government  of  a  portion 
of  the  lands  is  to  be  made  to  cover  the  expense  of  maintain- 
ing the  mihtary  in  this  district. 

The  lands  adjacent  to  the  town  are  of  the  fertile  character 
that  belongs  to  the  bottom  lands  of  the  Yaqui  and  Mayo 
rivers.  From  this  point,  the  Yaqui  River  is  navigable 
during  the  greater  part  of  the  year,  and  timber,  grain,  and 
other  productions  can  easily  be  transported  to  Guaymas. 
Mines  of  gold  and  silver  are  located  at  Cumuripa,  Cendra- 
ditas  and  San  Fr.tncisco  de  Borja,  which,  when  worked, 
yield  abundantly. 

The  current  of  the  river  is  rapid  at  Buenavista  and  many 
other  points.  Ore  might  be  transported  from  this  place  and 
shipped  from  Guaymas.  Along  the  river,  above  Buenavista, 
there  are  hundreds  of  veins  of  gold  and  silver  that  could  be 
worked  profitabh'.  The  placers  are  located  near  this  place, 
a.nd  are  said  to  be  very  rich. 

The  town  of  San  Pedro  de  la  Conquista  is  situated  south 
of  Ilermosillo,  on  the  river  Sonora,  a  short  distance. 
Cattle  and  horses  are  here  raised,  and  different  kinds  of  grain 
grown.  There  have  been  no  mines  of  any  consequence 
discovered  here.  The  land  is  well  timbered  with  iron-wood, 
the  mesquite,  the  huayacan,  (a  very  sohd  and  compact  wood) 
and  the  huevito.  An  herb  is  here  found,  called  the  "  con- 
fituria,"  which  is  much  esteemed,  as  possessing  medicinal 
qualities,  and  is  said  to  be  used  as  a  specific  for  hydro- 
phobia. 

The  land  is  fertile,  producing  wheat  and  Indian  corn  or 
maize,  beans,  pulse,  lentils,  Cliili  peppers,  sweet  potatoes, 
etc.  Figs  are  raised  in  profusion,  grapes,  peaches,  apri- 
cots, pomegranates,  quinces,  sweet  and  sour  oranges,  limes, 
citrons,  and  the  guava. 

Wheat  is  sown  from  October  to  December,  and  sometimes 
as  late  as  January,  and  is  harvested  from  May  to  July.  Two 
crops  of  beans  are  raised  annually.  The  first  is  planted  in 
February  or  March,  and  the  second  in  July  and  August. 
Two  crops  of  corn  are  also  sometimes  raised,  the  most 
abundant  being  gathered  in  November  and  December.  That 
gathered     in     July    or    August    is    generally    of     inferior 


46 

quality.  Grain,  flour,  and  other  products  are  transported  to 
Gnaymas  and  other  places,  in  wagons  drawn  by  mules  and 
oxen. 

There  are  several  grist-mills  turned  by  water-power  at 
this  place,  the  best  grinding  from  25  to  30  cargas  (of  300 
lbs.  each),  in  24  hours.  tSugar-cane  is  also  raised.  The 
climate  is  healthy,  and  the  population  about  1,200.  The 
town  has  two  justices  of  the  peace,  subject  to  the  tribunal 
of  first  instance  at  Hermosillo. 

The  Indians  and  Presidios. 

The  Yaqui  and  Mayo  Indians  inhabit  the  cane-brakes  on 
those  rivers,  and  are  depended  upon  mostly  for  laborers  all 
through  the  state.  They  are  not  averse  to  labor,  and  are 
employ etl  in  every  capacity.  They  possess  remarkable 
natural  abilities,  and  soon  learn  the  trades  of  blacksmithing, 
carpentering,  etc.  They  have  been  known  to  manufacture 
fireworks,  and  are  skillful  players  on  the  harp  and  violin. 
Their  character  is  resolute,  and  they  are  very  jealous  of  their 
lands.  They  are  generally  copper-colored  and  well  formed. 
The  women  are  of  medium  height  and  corpulent.  In  some 
of  the  settlements,  the  women  are  exceedingly  fair  and 
handsome;  but  these  latter  are  mostly  half-breeds.  The 
Yaqui,  with  few  exceptions,  has  but  few  wants.  A  cotton 
shirt  and  drawers  for  the  men,  and  shawl  and  petticoat  for 
the  women,  suflices;  while  the  children  run  naked,  with  the 
exception  of  a  cloth  around  the  loins.  Their  nature  is  joy- 
ous, and  they  are  very  fond  of  music  and  dancing.  They  are 
suspicious,  and  a  supposition  of  deception  serves  as  well  as 
the  reality.  They  have  been  known  t )  revolt  against  the 
government  and  commit  great  atrocities.  They  are  brave, 
and  have  been  known  to  tight  steadily  for  hours  against  the 
government  troops.  They  shun  the  society  of  the  whites, 
and  only  live  near  them  for  the  sake  of  employment.  Ve- 
lasco  says,  "  They  will  steal,  gamble,  and  drink,  and  have  no 
generosity  or  gratitude  " — a  rather  peculiar  trait  for  the 
Indian — yet  they  work  in  the  mines,  till  the  soil,  build 
houses,  and  perform  nearly  all  the  labor  of  Sonora.  They 
alone  of  all  the  Indians  are  skillful  pearl-divers  ;  but  so 
"great  is  their  love  of  robbery,"  says  Francisco  Velasco, 
an  impartial  Spanish  writer,  "  that  they  abandon  any  occu- 
pation, however  profitable,  for  the  purpose  of  stealing 
cattle  and  horses  from  the  ranchos  in  the  neighborhood  of 
the  river.      This  they  })ractice  even    in  times  of  peace." 


47 


But  Mr.  Auclrade  tells  us  that  this  is  not  so  at  present. 
They  have  greatly  improved  since  the  writing  of  Velasco's 
book.  Their  p()j)uIation  amounts  to  13,500  in  the  state,  ac- 
cording to  Cabas. 

Tlie  Mayos  possess  the  same  characteristics  as  the  Yaquis. 
Being  located  on  the  Mayo,  they  are  called  Mayos.  The 
Ceris  are  more  allied  to  savages,  are  filthy,  drunken,  and 
bitterly  hostile  to  the  whites.  They  are  located  by  the  gov- 
ernment upon  the  pueblo  of  San  Pedro  de  ia  Conquista, 
where  they  have  lands  assigned  to  them  for  tlieir  support. 
They  are  lazy,  and  dress  themselves  in  either  the  skins  of 
the  pelican  or  a  coarse  blanket  wrapped  around  the  waist. 
Some  wear  nothing  but  a  strip  of'  cloth  about  the  loins,  and 
none  wear  shoes.  They  paint  tlieir  faces  in  black  stripes,  and 
many  pierce  the  cartilages  of  the  nose,  and  append  to  it 
pieces  of  a  green  stoue  resembling  glass.  The  women  per- 
form the  greater  part  of  the  labor,  gathering  the  crops,  etc. 
The  men  are  tall,  erect,  and  generally  stout.  The  women 
are  copper-colored,  and  wear  a  petticoat  made  of  the  pelican 
skin,  with  the  feathers,  which  covers  the  form  from  the 
waist  down.  They  worship  the  moon,  and  prostrate  them- 
selves, beating  their  breasts,  and  kiss  the  ground  on  the 
appearance  of  the  new  moon. 

The  Opatas  are  more  frank  and  ^locile,  and  are  friendly 
towards  the  whites,  many  of  them  serving  as  soldiers. 
They  are  brave  to  the  last  extremity,  and  have  been  known 
to  withstand  an  onset  of  the  Apaches  outnumbered  eight  to 
one.  They  are  just  and  humane  in  their  dealings,  and  ca- 
pable of  a  high  degree  of  education.  They  are  the  bitter 
foes  of  the  Apaches,  showing  them  no  mercy  in  an  en- 
counter. 

The  Opatas  live  in  several  of  the  towns,  where  the  mixed 
race  predominates,  called  Opodepe,  Cucurpe,  Suaque,  Acou- 
chi,  Babiacora,  Arivechi,  Santo  Tomas,  Bacauora,  and 
Nuri  in  the  center  ;  Oposura,  Guayavas,  Baca  de  Iluachi, 
]^acori,  Mochop,  and  Oputo  in  the  sierra  ;  Chinapa,  Bacuachi, 
Cuquiuraciii,  and  Cumpas,  to  the  north.  The  Opatas  are 
able-bodied,  and  as  fleet  as  the  game  they  pursue.  Their 
haughty  character  is  illustrated  by  the  following,  related  by 
Cubas,  of  a  band  of  them  in  rebellion:  'Persecuted  by 
General  Gandara  with  very  superior  forces,  in  consequence 
of  an  insurrection,  they  refused  to  surrender  themselves, 
even  after  each  one  at  his  post  had  shot  his  last  arrow. 
Their  captain,  with  some  few  who  hud  survived  the  contest, 
took  refuge  on  tlie  summit  of  an  almost  inaccessible  mount- 


48 

aiu,  and  there  awaited  the  approacli  of  General  Gandara's 
emissaries,  who  liad  intimated  their  snbmission.  Believing 
themselves  humiliated  at  the  demand  for  the  delivery  of 
their  arms,  they  declared  to  'he  envoys  of  the  general  their 
resolution  to  deliver  themselves  up  to  their  conquerors,  with- 
out abandoning  their  arras.  Upon  General  Gandara's  insist- 
ing in  his  demands,  and  they  in  their  resolution,  their  conduct 
decided  him  to  take  them  prisoners  by  force,  which  they 
avoided  by  an  act  worthy  of  the  ancient  Spartans,  in  throw- 
ing themselves  over  the  precipice  at  the  moment  the  gen- 
eral's troops  were  ascending  the  heights."  The  Opatas  are 
most  useful  citizens,  and  have  on  many  occasions  proved 
their  loyalty  to  the  Mexican  Government  by  resisting  the 
attacks  of  the  Apaches.  They  seldom  go  barefooted,  every 
man  has  a  blanket,  and  every  woman  a  long  scarf.  They 
are  good  carpenters,  masons,  shoemakers,  and  house-paint- 
ers, and  manufacture  blankets,  shawls,  coarse  cottons,  sad- 
dles, pack-saddles,  bridles,  etc.,  and  considerable  quantities 
of  soap. 

The  Papajos  are  numerous,  and  located  in  the  western 
part  of  the  state,  subsisting  principally  on  wild  fruits,  espe- 
cially the  "  pitaya, "  from  which  they  manufacture  a  deli- 
cious syrup,  and  carry  it  to  the  settlements  for  sale  in  earthen 
jars.  In  the  winter  they  resort  to  the  settlements  of  La 
Pimeria  to  trade,  exchanging  skins  and  baskets.  This 
tribe  is  also  the  sworn  enemy  of  the  Ai)aches. 

The  Apaches  are  divided  into  the  Coyotes  or  Pinelores, 
the  Tontos,  Chiricahuis,  Mimbrenos,  Gilenos,  Mescaleros, 
Sacramantenos,  Mogollones,  Carrizallenos,  Gi panes,  Fara- 
ones,  and  Navajoes.  They  have  had  no  fixed  habitation, 
and  reside  in  the  mountains  and  on  the  plains,  and  often 
make  incursions  into  Sonora,  near  Altar  and  Magdalena,  and 
also  in  the  north-east,  in  the  mountains  of  Chihuahua,  near 
rfanos,  and  in  Coahuilla.  They  are  the  most  savage  of  all  the 
Indians  of  Mexico,  and  are  exceedingly  fleet,  both  in  trav- 
ersing the  vast  plains  and  in  climbing  the  rugged  eminences 
of  the  mountains;  and,  besides,  are  excellent  horsemen. 
Their  arms  are  mostly  the  bow  and  arrow  ;  but  some  few 
have  fire-arms,  and  a  lance  with  a  flint  point.  They  use  a 
leather  quiver,  and  a  shield  of  leopard's  skin,  ornamejted 
with  feathers  and  with  small  mirrors  in  the  center.  They 
are  cowardly,  and  only  attack  unawares ;  crafty  and  treach- 
erous, and  scalp  their  victims.  They  make  use  of  smoke 
for  telegraphic  signals.  They  are  fond  of  hunting  deer  and 
wild  boars,  "ciballos,"  or  Mexican  bulls,  black  bears,  wild 


49 

goats,  and  Rocky  Mountain  sheep.  Their  dress  consists  of  a 
strip  of  linen  passing  betwee;;  .their  thighs,  and  fastened  at 
the  waist,  and  leggings  of  deerskin  with  fringes,  ornamented 
with  beads,  and  garnislied  with  leatlier  strings,  and  wear 
pendants  and  ear-rings,  and  in  their  hair  they  fasten  a  long 
false  braid,  adorned  with  trinkets,  shells,  or  silver  buckles. 
The  women,  who  are  as  active  as  the  men  in  their  habits, 
use  very  short  garments  of  deer-skin  or  kid,  which  they  call 
"tlacalee,"  with  fringes  of  leather  strings,  on  the  edges  of 
which  are  hung  casebels,  tassels,  and  red  beads.  They  wear, 
also,  a  kind  of  jacket  called  "  bietle,"  made  of  the  entire 
deer-skin,  open  in  front,  ornamented  in  the  same  manner. 
They  wear  moccasins  of  deer-skin,  the  same  as  the  men, 
which  are  called  "teguas,"  and  are  fastened  to  the  leggings. 
They  are  all  of  swarthy  complexion,  well  proportioned,  wear 
long  hair,  and  no  beard.  Both  the  men  and  women  have 
very  small  feet.  The  women  decorate  themselves  with  ear- 
rings of  shells,  or  small  green  and  white  stones,  resembling 
crystal  ;  ^nd  in  some  instances  the  men  are  decorated  in 
like  manner.  Their  huts  are  simply  poles  covered  with 
grass  or  skins,  and  a  small  door,  admitting  a  grown  person. 
If  the  i)lace  is  wooded,  they  encamp  at  the  foot  of  a  tree, 
and  cover  the  branches  with  grass  to  protect  them  from  the 
rain  ;  but  generally  they  live  without  any  protection  what- 
ever. Their  atrocities  are  well  known,  and  they  have  long 
been  a  terror  to  the  Sonoriaus  ;  but  the  dispersion  of  Vic- 
torio's  band  subdued  them,  with  the  exception  of  small  rov- 
ing bands,  that  do  not  hesitate  to  attack  even  the  stages, 
as  they  did  but  a  short  time  since,  near  Mesilla,  in  New 
Mexico.  Comparative  peace  may  be  said  to  exist,  though 
settlers  may  do  well  to  keep  on  the  lookout,  and  travel  well 
armed. 


DISCOVERY  OF  GOLD. 


In  1799,  the  first  discovery  of  gold  in  the  western  part  of 
the  state  was  made  at  San  Ildefonso  de  la  Cieneguilla,  about 
forty  miles  South  or  south-east  of  Altar,  of  which  many 
incorrect  accounts  have  been  published.  This  discovery  was 
accidental,  and  occurred  as  follows  : 

"  A  company  of  soldiers  from  Altar,  on  their  way  to  chas- 
tise the  Ceris,  having  gone  in  a  south-east  direction,  en- 
camped in  that  neighborhood.  One  of  their  number,  who 
was  strolling  about  one  hundred  yards  from  the  camp, 
observed  that  the  bed  of  a  small  ditch  formed  by  the  rain 
was  of  a  yellowish  color,  and  on  further  examination,  he 
collected  a  number  of  pieces  of  gold  from  the  size  of  a 
lentil  to  that  of  a  bean.  He  reported  this  to  the  commander 
of  the  detachment,  who  immediately  ordered'  a  careful 
examination  of  the  surrounding  country,  the  result  being 
the  discovery  of  gold  in  all  parts  in  greater  or  less  quanti- 
ties. The  gold  lay  upon  the  surface,  scattered  like  grains 
of  corn.  The  gambucinos  followed  its  direction  to  the  west 
to  the  distance  of  six  or  nine  miles,  where  they  encountered 
a  natural  phv'nomenon.  I'he  beds  of  all  the  ravines  within 
a  circumference  of  more  than  12  miles  was  covered  with 
jiarticles  of  gold,  hundreds  of  these  weighing  from  one  to 
27  marcs,  and  presenting  the  appearance  of  having  passed 
through  a  furnace." — Velasco. 

After  the  surface  gold  was  exhausted,  shafts  were  sunk 
and  tunnels  run  through  a  vein  of  calcareous  stone  in  some 
places,  and  in  others  through  a  stratum  of  red  stone,  both 
of  which  contained  gold,  and  from  which  large  quantities 
were  extracted.  The  mine  was  actively  worked  until  1803, 
when  a  second  mine  was  discovered,  called  San  Francisco, 
21  miles  east  of  Cieneguilla,  which  is  about  40  miles  south- 
east of  Altar.  "  This  mine  proved  extremely  rich,  the  gold 
being  scattered  about  on  the  surface  in  great  abundance, 
especially  in  the  ravines.  In  the  ravine  called  San  Miguel- 
ena,  the  gold  was  so  abundant  that  three,  four,  and  even  five 

50 


51 

marcs  were  often  collected  in  live  minutes  ;  the  grains  being 
the  size  of  a  bean.  Lari^e  lum]>s  Avere  occasionally  discov- 
ered. One  found  by  a  Yaqui  weighed  100  ounces,  and  an- 
other weighed  28  marcs.  Quitovac,  San  Antonio,  SonoUa. 
El  Zoile,  La  Basura,  San  Perfecto,  Las  Palomas,  El  Alamo, 
El  Muerto,  and  Vado  Seco,  aie  gold  mines  discovered  from 
1834  to  1844  in  the  vicinity  of  Altar." 

Mines  of  Sonera. 

The  mines  of  Sonora  have  been  worked  from  time  im- 
memorial. The  immense  number  of  old  mines  that  have  a 
history  clouded  with  early  traditions  prove  the  ancient  char- 
acter of  the  mines  of  Sonora.  Some  have  been  known  to 
reach  back  one  hundred  years,  and  otliers  have  no  data  to 
determine  the  first  period  in  their  history.  The  number  of 
abandoned  miiies  are  considerable,  some  of  which  were  un- 
questionably exhausted,  while  others  were  abandoned  on 
account  of  the  ignorance  of  the  miners  on  reaching  oresthat 
were  refractory  or  hard  to  work.  Right  here  it  might  be 
well  to  caution  American  capitalists  against  buying  holes  in 
the  ground,  solely  because,  at  one  period  in  their  history, 
they  had  yielded  millions. 

Most  of  the  abandoned  mines,  or  quite  a  large  number  of 
them,  and  of  the  richest,  have  been  ruined  by  the  class  of 
minersof  Mexico  called  "gambucinos,"  a  poor  class  who  had 
no  capital,  and  were  in  search  of '' bonanzas,"  or  rich  spots, 
working  these  solely,  and  filling  the  drifts  and  shafts  behind 
them  with  rejected  ores  and  rubbish,  so  that,  when  they 
finished  a  mine  it  was  almost  entirely  ruined.  In  some  in- 
stances, they  have  extracted  the  pillars  of  old  mines  of  great 
value,  and  the  walls  have  fallen  in,  thus  doing  an  incalculable 
injury  to  the  mines  of  the  state.  There  is  an  old  Spanish 
proverb  that  tersely  states:  "It  takes  another  mine  to  work  a 
mine." 

This  is  undoubtedly  true  of  every  mine  abandoned  by 
these  miners.  We  use  strong  language  on  account  of  the 
destruction  following  in  t!ie  wake  of  the  "gambucinos." 
The  warning  of  Mr.  Mowry  to  capitalists  in  bis  valuable 
work  on  Arizona  and  Sonora,  we  herewith  quote,  and 
leave  its  lesson  with  our  readers.  He  says  :  "As  it  is  desir- 
able that,  in  the  investment  of  foreign  capital  there  should 
be  no  error  committed  at  the  outset,  than  which  nothing 
would  retard  the  progress  of  this  new  mining  field  more;  all 
persons  new  to  the  country  had  better  leave  abandoned  mines 


52 


alone,  unless  directed  to  them  by  persona  long  resident  iu 
the  country,  whose  character  and  veracity  are  undoubted, 
and  who,  after  the  investigation  of  all  the  facts,  current  ac- 
counts, and  traditions,  have  full  confidence  in  some  abandoned 
mine  or  other.  There  are,  undoubtedly,  many  abandoned 
mines  that  are  well  worthy  of  attention  and  outlay  of  capital, 
but  strangers  are  not  likely  to  know  at  once  which  of  the 
many  deserted  mines  it  will  be  [)rudent  to  meddle  with. 
Under  the  present  state  of  things,  the  safest  investments  for 
new  comers  will  be  those  mines  that  hare  bona  fide  owners,  fo7\ 
as  long  as  a  mine  can  be  'worked  according  to  the  custom  of  the 
counirii,  it  is  hardly  ever  abandoned  altogether.  The  owners 
are  falbj  alive  to  the  value  of  their  i^ossessions,  and  as  they  are 
already  ]u  a  more  or  less  independent  position,  and  always 
in  expectation  of  a  sudden  fortune,  they  are  not  anxious  to 
sell  unless  induced  by  a  fair  oft'er.  It  is  not  advisable  to  enter 
into  any  arrangement  loith  Mexican  miners  to  furnish  capital 
to  open  up  a  mine,  but  it  is  better  to  buy  the  whole  at  once." 

The  Mexican  people  are  shrewd  and  full  of  grandiose 
language,  extravagant  in  speech,  and  due  caution  in  taking 
their  description  of  properties,  with  some  allowance  when 
they  are  anxious  to  seil,  is  of  the  first  importance.  It  may 
be  well  to  remember  that  where  an  anxiety  to  sell  is  appar- 
ent, that  the  purchaser  will  do  well  to  make  haste  slowly, 
and  look  further  for  investment.  The  properties  that  are 
being  worked,  and  where  a  fair  examination  can  be  made 
by  reliable  mining  engineers,  are  the  ones  to  btiy.  These 
are  mostly  not  for  sale,  but  they  may  be  purchased  on  a 
liberal  otter.  Another  way  to  obtain  properties  of  value,  is 
to  prospect  for  new  mines,  and  when  a  discovery  is  made,  hy 
"  denouncement  "  a  title  may  be  obtained  under  the  laws  of 
Mexico  that  is  perfectly  valid;  and  indeed,  this  is  one  of 
the  safest  means  toobtain  valuable  mines;  for  the  whole  state 
is  rich  in  veins  of  gold  and  silver.  In  the  appendix  may  be 
found  an  abstract  of  the  mining  laws  of  Mexico,  with  direc- 
tions as  to  the  obtaining  of  properties  in  the  republic. 

As  an  instance  of  the  unreliability  to  be  placed  on  repre- 
sentations of  the  riches  of  mines  that  are  for  sale  in  Mexico, 
we  give  the  following  data  :  A  company  of  gentlemen  of 
this  city  were  induced  to  open  up  an  abandoned  mine,  called 
Santa  Gertrudis,  near  Altar,  which  was  represented  by  the 
parties  interested,  to  be  very  rich.  The  vein  first  discovered 
\vas  narrow,  but  was  followed  down  on  the  assurance  that  it 
would  become  broader  and  richer.  Extensive  plans  were 
entered  upon;  a  stamp  mill  and  engines  purchased,  ready  to 


53 


be  shipped  as  soon  as  the  mine  was  developed  sufficiently  to 
warrant  the  erection  of  the  works.  The  vein  was  followed 
for  nearly  200  feet,  and  some  $30,000  were  expended.  The 
result  was  unsatisfactory  and  the  mine  was  abandoned;  the 
representations  being  entirely  erroneous,  to  say  the  least, 
as  far  as  the  experiment  progressed.  Thus,  it  is  easily  seen 
that  experiments  in  mines  in  Sonora  are  as  unsatisfactory  as 
in  California;  and  it  is  well  to  be  cautioned  in  advance  in 
regard  to  abandoned  mines  and  properties  that  arc  found  up- 
on the  market.  We  could  point  out  other  instances  with  simi- 
results.  I'he  ]mi/uigmi7}es,  as  a  rule,  are  not  for  sa^e,  though 
there  are  some  exceptions,  and  no  greater  mistake  can  be 
made  than  to  expect  a  rich  mine  in  as  old  a  mining  state  as 
Sonora,  to  be  bought  for  a  mere  nominal  sum.  There  are 
exceptions,  but  they  are  rare;  a  fair  offer  has  to  be  made  to 
purchase  a  valuable  mine. 

Mining  Districts  of  the  State  of  Sonora,  and  Ijocation 
and  Description  of  Mines. 

The  Alamos  mining  district  is  situated  some  240  miles 
south-east  from  the  port  of  Guaymas,  on  the  direct  road  from 
that  point  to  El  Fuerte  in  Sinaloa,  ai;d  on  the  road  also  from 
Arispe  on  the  north  to  the  same  place,  and  from  thence  to 
Culiacan  and  Cosala  and  Mazatlan.  This  district  is  partic- 
ularly rich  in  silver  leads.  The  principal  mines  are  as  fol- 
lows: The  most  ancient  and  richest  mine  is  the  Quintera, 
several  millions  having  been  taken  from  it  since  its  discov- 
ery, over  100  years  ago.  It  is  of  immense  deptli,  and  has 
been  abandoned,  and  is  worked  occasionally  by  gambucinos, 
and  is  mostly  exhausted.  There  are  many  old  mines  of 
whose  origin  we  can  obtain  no  data,  their  origin  being  known 
only  by  tradition.  Among  the  Promontorio  mines  in  the 
small  Real  of  Promontorio,  five  miles  north  of  Alamos,  ma}' 
be  mentioned  the  Nuestra  Seilora  de  Vabranora,  whicli  was 
owned  and  worked  by  the  family  of  Almados  for  the  last 
century.  Don  Jos^  M.  Almado  reached  a  deposit  of  black 
ores  at  a  de[>th  of  600  feet  with  surprising  results.  The 
present  owners  are  an  English  company',  who  purchased  the 
mine  from  Mr.  Robinson  of  Guaymas.  The  ores  are  reduced 
at  the  works  situated  at  Las  Mercedes,  about  two  miles  east 
of  Alamos.  The  Promontorio  mines  contain  the  best  ores 
in  the  district.  The  Promontorio  mine,  from  which  the 
mines  were  named,  especially  has  produced  exceedingly 
rich  and  abundant  ores.     The  Tirite  mine,  to  the  south  of 


54 

and  adjoining  the  Promoutorio,  is  said  to  be  still  richer,  but 
its  vein  is  not  so  wide.  It  was  formerly  owned  by  James 
Brady  of  Giiaymas,  Who  reojjened  it  by  running  a  tunnel 
into  the  heart  of  the  vein.  Tlie  pillars  in  the  old  shaft  and 
drifts  were  taken  out  some  years  ago  by  Pascual  Gomez, 
and  two  of  them  yielded  S80,000.  The  Dios  Padre  mine, 
adjoining  the  Promontorio  on  the  north,  was,  prior  to  1860, 
owned  and  worked  by  Fernando  Aduana,  son-in-law  of  Jose' 
de  Almado.  In  August,  1860,  Mr.  Andrew  J.  Wiley  from 
California  purchased  the  mine,  and  associated  himself  with 
Messrs.  W.  W.  Light,  D.  Maddox,  U.  F.  Moulton,  tSkinke, 
Backus,  Beard,,  Sanborn,  Oatman,  Robinson,  and  L.  A.  Gar- 
net. The  mine  was  reopened  by  a  shaft  and  yielded  vei>y 
profitably. 

The  QuiuteraandLibertad  mines  are  located  north  of  the 
Dios  Padre.  The  Pulpito,  on  tlie  same  lead,  was  discovered 
by  a  Mexican,  who  worked  it  secretly.  In  January,  1861, 
Mr.  Benjamin  liountree  purchased  the  rights  of  both  parties 
and  associated  with  himself  Messrs.  W.  W.  Light,  Johnson, 
Price,  Thos,  Finley,  Robert  S.  Stillwell,  J.  R.  Hardenburg, 
and  others,  and  thej'  proceeded  to  open  up  the  mine,  but 
found  it  unprofitable  and  abandoned  it.  The  Nachararaa 
mine  is  situated  nine  miles  from  Alamos,  and  is  one  of  the 
most  celebrated  in  the  district,  but  it  was  abandoned  on  ac- 
count of  the  influx  of  water.  In  1860  the  mine  was  pur- 
chased hy  Messrs.  W.  T.  Robinson,  J.  G.  Baldwin,  Thomas 
H.  Williams,  Wm.  IS.  Long,  Henry  Fouche,  and  others. 
The  mine  had  the  reputation  of  being  rich  at  the  time  of  its 
purchase.  The  Vista  Nacacharama  mine  was  purchased  by 
Messrs.  Robinson,  Ira  Oatman,  Goggiiis,  Bowman  and  White- 
side, and  was  called  the  Sacramento  Company's  mine.  The 
Mina  Grande,  Euro[>ia,  Iglesia,  and  Palomos  are  well  s|)okeu 
of  by  tradition.  Tlie  first  two  were  denounced  by  Michael 
Gray  in  January,  1860,  and  afterwards  sold  to  John  Heard. 
The  Pietras  Verdes,  15  miles  north  of  Alamos,  and  Nar- 
vayez,  in  the  Promontorio,  are  filled  with  water. 

There  are  three  large  haciendas  for  tiie  reduction  of 
metals  in  the  city  of  Alamos,  called  La  Aurora,  LaUbalama, 
and  Las  Cabras. 

The  district  or  Real  of  Minas  Nuevas  is  located  about  two 
leagues  west  of  Alamos,  and  contains  many  rich  mines, 
among  them,  San  Jose  Ubalama,  which  is  situated  six  mile? 
from  Alamos,  and  was  owned  by  W.  J.  Hill  and  E.  B. 
Johnson,  who  erected  machinery  at  the  mine  to  work  it. 
Tradition  spoke  of  it  as  exceedingly  rich.     The    Descubri- 


55 

dom,  Rosario  de  Talpa,  Sambono,  and  others,  are  located 
in  this  district. 

The  Rosario  de  Talpa  a:id  the  Sambono  were  once  suc- 
cessfully worked  by  Mr.  Robinson  of  Guaymas,  and  T.  Rob- 
inson Bours,  formerly  of  Stockton,  but  who  now  resides  at 
Alamos.  The  San  Jose  mine  is  situated  six  miles  from 
Alamos,  in  this  district,  and  was  owned  by  W.  J.  Hill  and  E. 
B.  Johnson,  in  1861,  who  placed  machinery  at  the  mine  to 
develop  its  riches,  which  tradition  declared  to  be  fabulous. 
There  are  many  other  mines  in  the  vicinity,  as  we  have  only 
mention'  d  the  principal  ones,  and  the  district  is  unquestion- 
ably one  of  the  richest  in  Sonora. 

The  mine  called  Balvaneda,  situated  in  Promontorio,  for- 
merly belonged  to  Jos^  Maria  Almado.  It  was  formerly 
rich,  and  yielded  handsomely  up  to  1861,  though  the  water 
flowing  into  it  caused  such  trouble  and  expense  that  it  was 
afterward  abandoned.  La  Europita,  in  the  Promontorio, 
was  worked  by  Don  Manuel  SaUdo  up  to  1861,  with  good  re- 
sults. 

Lead  is  found  in  the  ores  of  the  Promontorio  mines,  which 
may  be  used  for  smelting,  although  most  of  the  ore  is  re- 
duced by  mills.  La  Europita  was  once  one  of  the  richest 
mines  of  the  district,  and  with  Quintera,  produced  an  im- 
mense amount  of  silver.  These  two  mines  gave  to  Alamos 
its  greatest  celebrity.     The  former  was  worked  up  to  1861. 

Although  Aduaiia  is  generally  included  in  the  district  of 
Alamos,  yet  it  possesses  a  group  of  mines  that  are  distin- 
guished from  the  Promontorio  mines.  The  A duaiia  is  sit- 
uated about  three  miles  west  of  Alamos.  Li  this  district, 
which,  with  that  of  the  Promontorio,  comprises  an  area  of 
•eight  leagues,  with  the  face  of  a  small  mountain  range  in- 
cluded on  the  south,  are  located  many  old  and  new  mines 
over  the  whole  area,  which  Velasco  pronounces,  that  ""with- 
out exaggeration,  there  is  not  a  hand's  breadth  of  the  soil 
which  doesnotcontain  some  vein  of  the  precious  metal."  La 
Cotera  and  Santo  Domingo,  and  iSTacacharama  and  La  Liber- 
tad  in  the  Aduaiia,  were  all  worked  up  to  1861.  Calesa  and 
Los  Cangrejos  are  full  of  water. 

There  are  five  haciendas  in  Aduaiia  for  the  reduction  of 
ore — one  in  Talajiossa  called  Zarragoitas,  La  Espinosa,  and 
the  old  hacienda  of  Promontorio;  also,  two  in  AlinasNuevas; 
making  eleven  in  all. 

The  district  of  Alamos  contributes  very  l.-rgely  to  the  eX' 
port  of  silver  from  Sonora,  jiart  of  which  is  exported  from 
the    port  of   Santa  Cruz  do  Mayo,  south  of   Alamos,  on  the 


56 

coast,  distant  about  100  miles,  which  is  said  to  be  one  of  the 

favorite  points  for  smuggling  bullion  out  of  the  state,  while 
the  larger  proportion  is  carried  to  Guaymas. 

San  Ildefonso  de  la  Cieneguilla. 

This  district  is  located  in  the  western  part  of  Sonora  and 
north-west  of  Ilermosillo  about  100  miles,  and  south-eas  of 
Altar  the  same  distance.  Scarcely  any  region  equals  this  in 
its  number  of  veins  of  gold  and  silver.  Its  first  mine,  called 
Bescubridora,  was  discovered  four  years  after  the  first  pla- 
cers, to  which  we  have  referred  under  the  heading  of  "  The 
Discovery  of  Gold."  This  mine  yielded  abundant  quantities 
of  silver  ores,  the  yield  of  the  poorest  being  five  to  seven 
and  the  best  12  to  15  marcs  to  the  "  bulto  "  of  three  cargas 
(900  lbs.).  Its  owner  received  from  it,  in  less  than  four 
years,  $2,000,000.  Fifty  small  establishments  for  crushing 
ores  were  erected  and  in  constant  operation,  from  which 
large  profits  were  realized.  The  vein  was  crossed,  after  the 
mine  had  been  worked  for  five  years,  by  a  species  of  hard 
rock,  called  "  caballo,"  which  was  again  repeated.  This 
discouraged  its  owner,  and  the  pillars  were  removed,  which 
yielded  ^500,000,  and  supports  of  strong  timber  exchanged 
for  them;  but  the  gambucinos  soon  left  the  mine  in  ruins. 
Many  other  mines  were  discovered  in  the  neighborhood,, 
but  none  so  rich  or  abundant  in  ores.  Only  one  exceeded  it 
in  the  quantity  of  its  ores,  viz:  the  Cerro  Colorado,  in  the 
Cieneguita  district,  six  leagues  to  the  east  of  Cieneguilla,  on 
the  right  of  the  road  to  the  placers  of  San  Francisco. 

From  the  appendix  of  the  work  entitled  "Sonora,"  a 
translation  of  Francisco  Vclasco's  great  work,  bj'  Mr.  Wm. 
F.  Nye,  published  in  1861,  we  quote  the  following  interest- 
ing fact  in  relation  to  tlie  Cerro  Colorado  mine.  lie  says  : 
"The  Cerro  Colorado  mine  is  situated  some  eight  or  nine 
leagues  from  the  city  of  Alamos,  on  the  bank  of  the  Mayo 
River,  and  derives  its  name  from  the  reddish  color  of  the 
mountain  in  which  it  is  located.  It  was  formerly  owned  by 
Castro  and  Don  Manuel  Salida,  and  afterwards  by  Dr.  W.  J. 
Hill,  of  Alamos,  who  sold  one-half  his  interest  some  few 
months  since  for  $12,000.  Messrs.  J.  S.  Garwood,  E.  D. 
Wheeler,  Michael  Gra}-,  and  others  of  San  Francisco,  were 
the  fortunate  purchasers.  The  last  owner  of  this  mine,  Don 
Manuel  Salida,  took  from  it  more  than  a  million  of  dollars, 
and,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  gave  orders  to  blow  the  mine 
up,  which  was  accordingly  carried  into  effect  by  his  peons. 


57 

The  writer  visited  the  mine  in  company  with  Dr.  Hill;  but, 
on  account  of  its  dilapidated  condition,  could  not  explore  it. 
At  ii  depth  of  70  feet  is  u  chamber  20  feet  in  diameter  and 
25  feet  high,  the  walls  of  which,  impregnated  with  virgin 
silver,  glittered  like  diamonds  by  the  light  of  a  solitary  cau- 
dle. In  working  the  mines  of  this  district,  it  is  not  unusual 
to  discover  spots  of  exceeding  richness,  cahed  by  Mexicans 
'  bonanzas,'  and  from  one  of  these,  from  two  to  three  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  are  frequently  extracted." 

Gold  Mining  Districts. 

The  district  of  San  Francisco  is  located  seven  leagues  to 
the  east  of  Ildefonso  de  la  Cieneguilla,  and  was  discovered 
Oct.  4th,  1803,  by  Teodoro  Salazar,  who  was  searching  for 
a  mine  of  which  he  had  received  notice.  This  mine  proved 
extremely  rich,  the  gold  being  scattered  about  on  the  sur- 
face in  great  abundance,  especially  in  the  ravines.  The 
ravine  called  San  Miguelena  was  the  richest  spot,  and  the 
grains  were  coarse,  being  about  the  size  of  a  bean.  Large 
lumps  were  occasionally  found,  one  of  which  weighed  100 
ounces,  and  another  28  marcs.  In  portions  of  this  mineral 
region  the  gold  was  mixed  with  white  quartz,  which  led  to  a 
ledge  of  very  rich  gold-bearing  quartz.  Here  a  mine  was 
opened  by  Teodoro  Salazar,  and  he  occasionally  struck  ex- 
tensive pockets  that  were  very  rich.  The  mine  was  eventu- 
ally abandoned,  and  another  found  one  league  distant  from 
San  Francisco,  not  so  rich  as  the  former,  but  yielding  very 
fine  gold,  of  22  and  23  carats  fine.  In  the  Sierra  to  the 
south,  veins  were  found  near  the  creek  of  San  Bias,  a  small 
town  near  the  northern  border  of  Sinaloa.  The  water  in  the 
creek  having  failed,  this  mine  was  abandoned.  The  annual 
yield,  on  an  average,  of  the  mine  of  San  Francisco,  Velasco 
puts  at  from  $i,  000, 000  to  $5,000,000.  Quito  vac,  San  An- 
tonio, Sonoita,  El  Zone,  La  Basura,  San  Perfecto,  Las  Palo- 
mas.  El  Alamo,  El  Muerto,  and  Vado  Seco,  were  the  gold 
mines  discovered  from  1833  to  1811.  Since  that  time,  many 
other  mines  have  been  found,  bearing  both  gold  and  silver. 
The  great  drawback  to  the  mines  of  San  Francisco,  which 
are  so  rich  in  gold,  is  the  scarcity  of  water,  which  has  been 
brought  from  tiie  river  Arituava,  21  miles  distant,  and  com- 
manded fabulous  prices.  If  the  waters  of  ihe  river  were 
conducted  to  the  placers,  or  arte>;ian  wells  sunk  and  reser- 
voirs formed,  the  mines  would  yield  immensely. 

The    district  of   Mulatos  is  located  to  the    north-east  of 


58 


Alamos,  and  nearly  due  west  of  Jesus  Maria  in  Chihuahua, 
upon  the  slope  of  the  Sierra  Madre  towards  the  gulf,  and  is 
called  the  Mineral  of  San  Jos^  de  Mulatos,  which  was  dis- 
covered in  1806.  Two  gold  mines  were  here  found,  from 
which  were  taken  several  thousand  marcs  of  gold,  24  carats 
fine.  The  region  is  located  near  the  eastern  border  of  the 
state,  in  the  pass  of  Mulatos,  about  70  leagues,  or  210  miles, 
from  Ilerraosillo.  It  is  said  that  several  millions  were  ex- 
tracted from  these  mines.  The  gold  was  first  found  in  a 
small  stream  which  descends  to  the  river  below.  Adjoining 
this  ravine  and  near  the  placers,  three  elevated  crests  were 
discovered,  one  of  them  over  one  hundred  varas  in  height, 
which  were  intersected  in  all  directions  by  small  threads  or 
veins  of  gold-bearing  white  earth,  or  rotten  quartz,  that  were 
80  rich  that  the  ore  of  inferior  quality  was  sold  at  $12  and 
$15  per  arroba  (25  pounds),  while  the  rciliest  sold  for  $200. 
These  crests  have  been  extensively  worked.  The  gold  is 
nearly  pure,  the  lowest  ore  being  23  quilates,  while  it  some- 
times reached  3^  grains.  A  number  of  Indians  at  first  work- 
ed the  vein  by  being  suspended  by  ropes  from  the  side  of 
the  rocks  from  the  crests  above  and  picking  out  the  earth 
with  wooden  sticks  and  knives.  The  mines  wore  abandoned 
some  years  ago,  but  have  since  been  denounced  by  an  Amer- 
ican company,  who  are  working  them  so  profitably,  we  un- 
derstand, that  they  have  lately  refused  $1,000,000  for  them. 
The  ores  are  reduced  by  an  extensive  stamp-mill,  located  on 
the  Mulatos  River,  below  the  mine.  This  river  has  some- 
times been  called  the  Aribechi  and  Papigochi. 

The  district  of  San  Xavier  is  distant  from  the  port  of 
Guaymas  in  a  north-east  direction,  and  about  the  same  dis- 
tance from  Ilermosillo,  approachable  from  both  points  by  an 
excellent  wagon  road.  This  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  richest 
mineral  districts  of  the  state.  There  are  many  mines  situ- 
ated within  a  radius  of  tnree  miles — namely,  Los  Brouces, 
owned  by  Don  Alsuaof  Guaymas;  Las  Cruzecitas,  Las  Aguas, 
Seuor,  Las  Cambres,  La  Division,  La  iSTaguilla,  La  Barranca, 
Las  Animas,  La  Sierra,  and  many  others.  Among  the  most 
important,  Los  Bronces  may  be  mentioned,  which  is  work- 
ed by  Don  Matias  Alsua  of  Guaymas,  who  has  erect- 
ed extensive  reduction  works,  with  stamps,  barrels,  fur- 
naces, etc.  His  ores  are  worked  by  the  German  or  Frey- 
burg  process,  and  tiie  mine  has  yielded  about  $1,000  per 
day.  Near  this  mine  is  located  the  La  Barranca,  in  which  a 
vein  of  coal  was  found  nine  feet  in  thickness.  It  is  supposed 
to  be  anthracite,  but  this  is  denied  by  some    experts,  who 


59 


claim  it  is  more  of  the  nature  of  bituminous  coal.  We  ex- 
amined a  piece  of  this  same  coal,  and  it  appeared  to  us  to  be 
eimilar  to  the  bituminous  coal  of  Pennsylvania. 

About  200  yards  above  the  Los  Bronces  mine  is  situated 
the  Las  Cruzecitas,  which  is  owned  by  the  Las  Cruzecitas 
Minin<y  Company.  It  has  been  extensively  developed,  and 
ten  tons  have  been  raised  daily  ;  and  when  further  devel- 
oped, will  yield  much  greater  quantities.  The  vein,  which 
is  particularly  well  defined,  increases  in  width  and  richness 
as  it  descends  ;  and  at  a  depth  of  145  feet,  the  vein  was  nine 
feet  wide.  The  ore  of  the  pillars  is  very  rich  ;  while  that 
from  the  mino  averaged  over  $150  per  ton,  all  through. 
The  "  Petanque  "  has  rich  sulphurets  of  silver,  which  are 
extracted  from  the  lower  excavations,  and  assay  over  $3,000 
per  ton.  The  Company  have  erected  reduction  works  at  the 
miues.  La  Naguilla  is  situated  on  the  highest  bill  in  this 
region,  in  sight  of  the  main  road;  its  ores  were  formerly 
abundant,  and  their  "ley  "  in  silver,  ten  marcs  to  the  carga. 
It  however  filled  with  water,  and  although  an  attempt  was 
made  to  work 'it  out,  it  was  abandoned  upon  reaching  a 
*'  caballo. "  Las  Animas  is  also  one  of  the  old  mines,  and  is 
now  choked  with  earth  ;  the  "  ley  "  of  its  ores  was  four  or 
five  marcs  to  four  arrobas.  Its  vein  was  narrow,  but  con- 
tained an  abundance  of  ferruginous  ore,  which,  though  re- 
jected by  the  miners  in  foi-mer  times,  yield  three  to  four 
marcs  of  silver  to  the  carga.  The  amalgamating  ores  are 
also  abundant,  and  of  about  the  same  "  ley.''  In  Los  Afur- 
nos,  the  vein  is  half  a  vara  in  breadth,  and  was  profitably 
worked  by  Castillo.  The  mines  of  La  Grande  were  equall}' 
rich  with  the  others.  The  rest  of  the  ores  of  San  Xavier  are 
smelting  ores,  or  reducible  by  fire,  with  some  exceptions. 
Enormous  quantities  of  silver  were  remitted  to  the  City  of 
Mexico  from  this  district,  and  j)rove  it  to  have  been  vevy 
ruth. 

"The  mine  of  Zubiate  is  situated  eleven  leagues  (o-j 
i7nles)  south-east  of  Ilermosillo.  It  was  discovered  in  the 
year  1813.  Its  first  owners  were  not  able  to  pay  their  ex- 
penses, and  sold  out  to  two  persons  called  Monge  and 
Muuoz,  who  derived  a  handsome  profit  from  amine  liitherto 
worthless.  Muuoz,  having  acquired  sufiicient  wealth,  sold 
his  interest  to  Francisco  Monteverde,  who  continued  the  op- 
eration, in  company  with  Monge,  until  the  death  of  the 
latter,  who  left  a  large  fortune.  Monteverde  then  became 
sole  owner  of  the  mine,"  and  worked  it  up  to  the  time  of 
his  death,  leaving  it  to  his  son,  M.  Monteverde,  ex-Governor 


(50 


of  Soiiora,  wlio  is  now  in  this  cit3\  "  Its  average  ley  did  not 
exceed  iive  to  six  marcs  to  three  cargas  of  300  lbs.  each,  or 
about  from  $:>6  to  $45  per  ton;  bat  occasionally  ores  are 
found  which  yield  two  to  three  marcs  ($3.20  to  each  marc) 
per  arroba  of  25  lbs.  each,  or  from  $480  to  $720  per  ton. 
Water  flows  into  it,  and  for  some  time  the  sole  profits  of  the 
owner  were  derived  from  furnishing  supplies  to  his  work- 
men.'' Governor  Monteverde  informs  us,  that  since  the 
publication  of  Francisco  Velasco's  work  on  Sonora,  from 
which  we  quote  the  foregoing,  that  he  has  found  the  mine 
to  become  very  profitable,  and  it  now  assays  from  $80  up  to 
$1,000  per  ton,  having  reached  ores  on  a  lower  level  that 
are  very  rich.'  This  mine  is  for  sale,  and  can  be  purchased 
of  Governor  Monteverde.  lie  also  informs  us  that  $12,000,- 
000  have  been  extracted  from  the  mine  since  its  discovery, 
or  in  a  little  over  67  years. 

San  Antonio  de  la  Huerta. 

This  district  is  located  about  15  miles  from  San  Xavier, 
and  contains  La  Minas  Prietas,  Musidora,  and  other  valuable 
mines,  both  of  gold  and  silver.  The  Minas  Prietas  was 
purchased  of  Mr.  R.  1).  Johnson,  of  Guaymas,  by  the  Jan- 
nin  Bros.,  of  this  city,  and  sold  to  a  company  in  New  York. 
The  point  of  location  on  the  maps  of  this  mine  is  erroneous, 
and  should  be  at  the  point  marked  Haygame,  about  35  miles 
south-east  of  Ilermosillo.  A  new  40-stamp  mill  is  being 
erected  for  this  mine.  There  was  an  old  10-stamp  mill  on 
it,  which,  with  arastras,  were  used  to  reduce  the  ore. 

Cieneguita  District. 

The  following  oflicial  report  on  the  Mineral  de  la  Ciene- 
guita, of  Robert  L.  D'Aumaille,  otlieial  assay er  of  Sonora, 
is  copied  from  the  valuable  work  of  Mr.  Mowry,  "  on  Sonora 
and  Arizoua";  our  object  being  to  give  ail  the  information 
available  on  the  mines  of  Sonora,  and  also  within  the  limits 
of  the  states  of  Chihuahua,  Durango,  and  Sinaloa.  On  the 
mines  of  this  district,  his  I'aport  reads  as  follows  :  "  About 
300  yards  from  the  hacienda  is  the  mine  La  Carjona,  of 
trifling  depth.  The  metal  is  i)lombiferous,  vein  one  foot  in 
width,  and  assays  $16  to  the  100  pounds.  The  water  from 
the  rivulet  adjoining,  has  filled  the  shaft,  which  is  not  deep. 
Two  miles  distant  in  same  direction,  lies  the  hill  that  con- 
tains the   veins   of  La  Chipiona,  La  Colorada,  La  Plomosa, 


61 

and  another  fallen  in,  whose  very  name  has  perished.  The 
veins  have  been  opened  in  many  parts  by  the  Spaniards,  who 
content  themselves  almost  invariably  with  sinking  shafts  for 
the  extraction  of  the  superior  decomposed  ores,  abandoning 
the  mine  on  reaching  sulphurets,  from  ignorance  of  the  proc- 
ess for  the  extraction  of  silver.  In  these  sulphurets,  and 
below  the  old  galleries  are  situated  the  present  workings. 
La  Colorada,  on  the  north  side  of  the  spur,  is  a  portion  of  the 
Veta  Madre  (or  main  vein.)  The  workings  are  dry  and 
firm;  the  galleries  50  feet  in  length  and  45  in  width.  An- 
other shaft,  22  feet,  is  opened  80  feet  farther  down  the  mount- 
ain, where  the  ores  are  uncovered  to  the  same  width.  The 
vein  in  the  lower  places  is  about  18  feet  in  width,  in  parts 
SO;  running  north  and  nortb-west,  with  an  inclination  to  the 
south-east  of  about  15  degrees,  an  excellent  course  and  dip 
in  Mexican  mines.  The  assay  was  $172  silver,  per  ton,  and 
traces  of  gold.  La  Chipioua  is  also  upon  the  Veta  Madre; 
vein  same  direction  and  dip  as  La  Colorada;  shafts,  two,  30 
feet  apart;  depth  30  foet,  and  partly  full  of  water.  The 
vein  is  20  to  36  inches;  same  depth,  and  quality  of  metal 
uniform.  The  ores  are  more  difhcult  of  reduction,  being 
bisul[)hurets  of  iron,  with  a  compound  sulphuret  of  silver, 
lead,  iron,  and  copper;  by  the  German  process,  assays  160 
ounces  per  ton.  The  ores  of  La  Colorada  by  same  proc- 
ess, gave  212  to  320  ounces.  There  is  not  half  the 
superficial  excavations  of  the  ancient  mines,  which  have 
been  cleaned  out  from  this  vein,  and  the  falling  in  of  the 
labores.  The  vein  can  be  traced  250  yards,  across  the  crest 
of  the  hill,  up  to  the  mouth  of  the  La  Colorada.  Above  the 
main  vein  is  a  cross-vein  of  4  to  6  inches,  cutting  it  nearly 
at  right  angles.  The  ore  is  said  to  yield  318  ounces  of  silver 
per  ton.  Nine  hundred  feet  distant,  in  a  straight  line,  in  a 
spur  of  the  same  cerro,  is  the  adit  of  La  Plomosa;  the  upper 
workings  being  badly  planned,have  fallen  in  from  the  pressure 
of  rubbish  in  the  old  drifts,  and  the  miners  have  driven  a  level 
in  the  solid  rock  150  feet  farther  down.  The  ores  are  ar- 
gentiferous galenas,  with  a  matrix  of  stratified  '  calishc,' 
and  are  said  to  yield  18  per  cent,  of  lead,  and  96  ounces  sil- 
ver, per  ton,  up  to  190  ounces.  Both  this  vein  and  La  Chi- 
piona  run  across  the  valley  and  strike  the  opposite  mountain. 
Old  mining  shafts  are  seen  all  the  way  across  at  different 
points.  These  mines  can  all  be  drained  by  a  tunnel,  as  the 
Chipiona  debouches  upon  an  abrupt  descent,  by  many  hun- 
dred feet.  The  walls  are  firm  and  vein  regular,  presenting 
every  indication  of  permanence.     A  quarter  of  a  mile  south- 


62 


west  of  the  Yerba  Biieua,  arc  the  mines  of  Los  Tajos.  The 
hill-side  is  covered  with  the  buried  workings  of  the  ancients, 
and  the  superior  position  of  the  vein  is  in  a  very  prejcarious 
condition.  The  vein  is  something  hke  one-l:alf  a  yard  in 
width,  with  a  heterogeneous  medley  of  ores.  It  runs  com- 
pletely through  the  mountain,  as  very  considerable  works 
are  visible  on  the  opposite  side;  but  whether  '  en  metales,' 
or  not  is  unknown. 

"  The  ores  are  said  to  yield  60  ounces  per  ton,  but  they 
are  loa'ed  with  titaniferous  and  zinciferous  metals.  La 
Descomulgada  is  situated  about  a  league  west  of  south-west 
of  the  Yerba,  Buena.  Its  matrix  is  a  very  hard,  silicious 
rock,  which  crumbles  with  great  rapidity  when  exposed  to 
air  and  moisture.  The  vein  is  said  to  be  wide,  and  the  su- 
perficial ores  easily  worked,  costing  $1.00  per  300  lbs.,  and 
to  be  easy  of  reduction. 

"  La  Yerba  Buena  is  a  modern  mine,  said  to  have  been 
very  rich.  The  mouths  have  fallen  in  a  few  hundred  yards 
from  the  Yerba  Buena,  on  the  road  to  the  Descomulgada. 
^Nothing  more  is  known  concerning  it. 

"  Las  Ostimuris,  on  the  road  to  Yerba  Buena,  about  half 
way  from  the  Cieneguita,  has  two  open  mouths,  and  is  full 
of  water,  the  drifts  running  under  the  brook.  Mr.  Monge 
says  it  was  abandoned  on  the  outbreak  of  the  Opatas,  and  as 
the  shafts  were  shallow,  the  vein  wide,  and  the  ores  yield- 
ing 450  oz.  per  ton,  he  entered  into  a  contract  with  a  skill- 
ful miner  and  put  up  whims  and  machinery  for  drain- 
age. His  partner  died  just  as  they  were  approaching  com- 
pletion; the  Apaches  drove  off  their  animals;  and,  being  ig- 
norant of  mining,  he  abandoned  the  mine.' 

"  La  Prieta  is  on  the  rancho  of  Matarchi,  about  six  miles 
east  of  Cieneguita.  The  vein  is  from  four  to  six  feet  wide. 
The  opening  is  merely  a  trial  pit.  The  ores  of  the  outcrop 
are  a  melange  of  different  sulphurets,  heavily  charged  with 
copper. 

"  El  Potrero,  24  miles  distant,  is  said  to  be  an  immense 
'clavo'  of  volcanic  origin,  and  unknown  extent,  at  the  in- 
tersection of  two  veins.  The  ore  is  without  alloy  of  silver, 
but  contains  much  oxide  of  lead  and  spar.  It  forms  an  ex- 
cellent flux  for  the  ores  of  La  Prieta,  and  Los  Tajos.  The 
cost  of  carriage  is  the  only  expense. 

"  La  Viruela,  east  half  a  mile  from  the  site  of  La  Armar- 
gosa,  is  a  lofty  hill,  from  which  large  quantities  of  gold  have 
been  extracted,  but  the  whole  hill  has  fallen  in. 

"  La  Armagosa,  and  the  rivulet  which  runs  beneath  El  Re- 


63 

alito,  are  coustautly  searched  for  gold.  The  water  of  the 
creek  is  not  sufficiently  abundant  for  machinery,  and  an  ex- 
amination was  made  of  La  Armagosa,  one-quarter  mile  east^ 
where  a  stream  was  found  that  is  permanent  and  may  be 
conducted  by  a  tunnel.  It  furnishes  a  considerable  volume 
of  water,  with  a  natural  fall  of  100  feet  within  a  space  of 
100  yards  in  its  own  valley. 

"  Yerba  Bueua  is  three  and  a  half  miles  south-east  from  the 
real,  four  and  a  half  from  La  Chipioua,  and  four  from  Los 
Tajos.  This  district  is  located  near  Sahuaripa,  about  50 
miles  south-east.  The  river  is  the  Arroyo  de  los  Ostimuris, 
which  is  permanent  ten  mouths,  and  sufficient  to  turn  the 
wheels  during  the  remainder  of  the  year.  Wood  is  abund- 
ant, and  consists  of  oak,  pine,  juniper  and  ash.  Pasturage, 
everywhere.  Animals  are  said  to  fatten  all  the  year  round. 
Salt  can  be  purchased  at  from  $8  to  $10  per  carga  of  300 
lbs.;  wheat,  $6  per  fanega.  Freight  from  Guaymas,$80  to  $90 
per  ton;  from  Sahuaripa,  $3  per  carga.  Cattle  are  purchased 
from  $10  to  $15;  hides,  $1.00  each;  mules  and  horses,  dear; 
powder  of  the  country,  $7.00  per  25  lbs;  flour,  $7  per  ar- 
roba. "  The  ores  are  hard  and  require  blasting,  but,  as  seen 
before,  are  very  rich. 

"  The  Eeal  of  the  Cieneguita  embraces  the  mines  known  as 
La  Chipioua,  La  Colorada,  La  Cajona,  La  Prieta,  and  the 
vein  of  copper  in  Alatarchi,  La  Descomulgada  and  Los  Ta- 
jos, La  Viruela,  and  El  Realito,  San  Rafael,  Ostimuris,  Yer- 
ba Buena,  and  El  Potrero.  All  of  these  mines  are  within  a 
radius  of  three  miles. 

"  The  principal  vein  appears  to  be  that  of  La  Chipioua. 
The  origin  of  the  real  is  unknown.  The  general  belief  is 
that  it  is  the  long-lost  Real  of  Tayopa,  famous  in  the  early 
Spanish  annals.  The  ores  of  the  Chipioua,  Colorada,  and 
others,  are  refractory,  being  mostly  hard  ores  and  sulphurets. 
The  titles  to  the  mines,  except  those  of  El  Potrero  or  La 
Prieta,  and  the  copper  vein  in  Matarchi,  are  on  the  ranchos 
of  La  Yglesia,  a  fine  grazing  estate  of  eighteen  square  miles 
in  extent,  belonging  to  and  in  the  occupancy  of  Don  Jose 
Yrenco  Monge.  The  title  is  said  to  be  perfect  and  undis- 
puted, a  Spauish  grant  of  Carlos  III.  It  is  wooded  and 
watered,  and  contains  sufficient  arable  land.  The  rancho  of 
Matarchi,  which  bounds  it  on  tlje  westward,  is  a  beautiful 
pine  forest,  with  some  excellent  cultivated  land,  containing 
nine  square  miles,  well  watered,  and  is  likewise  a  Spanish 
grant  of  the  last  century.  It  contains  the  veins  of  La  Prieta 
and  the  outcrop  of  copper. 


64 

"  The  mines  Los  Tajos,  La  Descomulgada,  and  El  Realito, 
with  four  pcrtenencias,  El  Potrero,  and  La  Viruella,  are  each 
the  extent  of  La  Chipioiia's  and  La  Colorada's  possession, 
which  was  given  by  the  Prefect  of  Sahuaripa  on  the  13th  of 
September;  is  1,800  feet  in  length;  width,  600  feet  on  La 
Plomosa,  and  1,350  feet  in  width,  including  all  the  present 
workings  in  the  three  mines.  The  sites  called  El  Potrero, 
La  Armagosa,  La  Cieneguita,  and  Yerba  Buena,  were  de- 
nounced as  "Haciendas  de  Benefico,"  or  position  for  reduc- 
tion works.  The  Real  of  Cieneguita  is  situated  in  a  pretty 
little  dell,  embosomed  among  lofty  mountains,  almost  at  the 
foot  of  the  Sierra  de  San  Ignacio,  and  pai'tly  embraced  by 
the  unbroken  rivuges  of  the  great  Sierra  2.1adre.  These 
mines  are  now  worked  by  a  30-stamp  mill,  and  are  produc- 
ing immense  profits. 

"It  is  distant,  perhaps,  by  the  road,  42  miles  south-east  of 
Sahuaripa,  nine  miles  soutli-east  of  Tarachi,  and  72  miles  west 
of  Mulatos.  The  real  contains  about  20  acres  of  cultivated 
ground,  and  is  supphed  by  a  spring  and  perpetual  brook, 
which  traverses  its  center.  The  climate  is  mild.  In  winter, 
the  snow  falls  occasionally  two  feet,  and  ice  forms  two  inches 
thick.  The  road  leads  from  Sahuaripa  through  mountain 
passes.  From  Aribechi  to  the  real  it  is  all  mountain,  except 
the  plain  of  Las  Cazadores,  in  the  rancho  Aoyua  Blanca, 
and  the  valley  of  the  Rio  de  Ostimuris,  from  which  the  road 
runs  from  Santa  F^  to  Tarachi.  A  considerable  portion  of 
the  real  is  covered  by  the  foundations  of  houses  and  ruins 
of  smelting  works,  or  immense  piles  of  scoriae  and  rubbish, 
proving  incontestably  to  the  practical  eye  the  vast  extent  of 
the  ancient  mining  operations."  And  another  proof,  we 
might  add,  of  the  former  richness  of  these  mines.  We  give 
this  extended  description,  in  order  to  show  how  an  aban- 
doned mine  looks  to  the  traveler  as  well  as  the  mining 
engineers,  although  these  same  mines  have  since  been 
reopened  and  worked  by  a  30-stamp  mill,  as  before  stated. 

We  are  indebted  to  Mr.  John  A.  Robinson,  of  this  city, 
for  the  following  : 

"  Some  fifteen  miles  north-east  from  the  famous  gold  mine 
of  Mulatos,  lies  a  cluster  of  mines  known  as  '  Mineral  de  la 
Cieneguita.'  There  are  some  fifteen  mines  in  all  ;  the  prin- 
cipal of  them  are  the  Chipiona,  the  Colorada,  and  the  Plo- 
mosa ;  the  two  first  being  very  rich  in  silver  and  gold,  and 
the  last  in  lead  and  silver.  The  country  surrounding  offers 
every  facility  for  mining  and  reduction  works.  An  abund- 
ance of  water,  heavy  forests  of  pine,  hemlock,  various  species 


()5 


of  oak,  juniper,  etc.  Building-stone  and  fire-clay  iu  .he  im- 
mediate vicinity,  with  pasturage  for  the  animals.  The 
mines  are  at  present  worked  on  a  small  scale  hy  some  Ger- 
man gentlemen ;  but  paities  are  now  examining  them  with 
the  view  of  establishing  reduction  works  on  an  extensive 
scale  by  the  lixiviation  process.  These  mines  are  extreme- 
ly rich  in  '  ley,'  and  abundant  iu  ores.  Some  sixty  miles 
to  the  east  of  the  above  are  situated  those  extremely  rich 
copper  mines  called  'Iluacarbo, '  in  the  Barranca  de  Tarra- 
rique.  Here  also  the  facilities  for  working  are  great.  The 
river  Yaqui  runs  immediately  at  the  foot  of  these  im- 
mense lodes  ;  and  the  country  is  thickly  covered  by  heavj' 
timber.  The  Yaqui  River,  in  places,  runs  over  the  copper- 
vein,  leaving  the  ores  in  sight  for  a  long  distance.  Both  of 
the  foregoing  mining  districts  were  fully  explored  by  Robert 
L.  D'Aumaille,  a  most  famous  mining  expert,  chemist  and 
iimalg  imist,  sent  there  by  Don  Juan  A.  Robinson,  formerly 
United  States  Consul  for  Guaymas,  Sonora,  and  at  present 
residing  in  this  city.  D'Aumaille  reports  that  the  copper 
vein  is  intersected  in  diflTerent  places,  by  narrow  gold  veins 
of  a  very  rich  'ley.'" 

The  district  of  Babicanora  was  discovered  at  the  end  of 
the  last  century,  eight  leagues  south-east  of  Arispe  and  four 
from  Sonoquipe,  in  the  Sierra,  running  north  and  south.  It 
was,  at  one  time,  very  rich,  and  had  a  hacienda  for  the  re- 
duction of  ores  below  Sonoquipe,  one  mile  from  the  bank  of 
the  creek.  It  was  abandoned  by  its  owners  some  years  ago, 
until  Mr.  Ilunter,  an  American,  lately  obtained  possession 
of  two  of  the  mines.  One  is  called  .Mendoza,  which  has  a 
vein  three  feet  wide,  and  assays  $80  per  ton  in  silver.  The 
other  is  Santa  Ana,  and  has  a  vein  one  vara  in  width,  (33 
inches)  with  an  assay  similar  to  the  other.  Mr.  Ilunter  has 
erected  a  ten-stamp  mill,  and  is  now  working  the  mines 
profitably. 

The  hacienda  of  Gov.  Pesquiera,  called  Las  Delicias,  is 
situated  about  20  miles  south-west  from  Arispe,  and  con- 
sists of  about  30,000  acres  of  good  land,  about  one-fifth  of 
which  is  first-class  agricultural  land,  and  being  in  the 
neighborhood  or  west  of  the  Sonora  River,  the  soil  is  some- 
what of  the  same  nature,  and  produces  wheat,  corn  and 
other  cereals,  as  other  lands  on  the  Sonora  River.  The  bal- 
ance is  good  grazing  land.  The  Santa  Elena  mine  is  located 
about  four  and  a  half  miles  from  the  hacienda,  on  a  ridge  of 
mountains,  and  is  owned  by  Gov.  Pesquiera.  who  erected  a 
ten-stamp  mill  at  the  hacienda. 
5 


66 


It  is  not  in  working  order,  and  is  fast  going  to  pieces. 
The  mine  lias  l)een  mostly  worked  by  arastras,  and  pro- 
duced, in  one  yenv,  $200,000,  but  has  never  been  properly 
worked.  The  best  ore  assays  $3  per  ounce  bullion,  gold  and 
silver.  The  shaft  is  about  200  feet  in  depth,  with  a  varying 
vein,  sometimes  reaching  15  feet  in  width.  The  mine  is  dry, 
with  walls  of  porphyry  and  quartzite. 

The  Curcurpe  district  also  contains  many  mines,  among 
which  may  be  mentioned  the  ancient  mine  of  El  Tajo,  which 
is  now  full  of  water  and  in  a  ruinous  condition,  having  been 
destroj^ed   by  thfe  gambucinos. 

The  Santa  Teresa  de  Jesus  mining  district  is  located  69 
miles  south  of  the  boundary  line  of  the  United  States,  on  the 
northern  frontier  of  the  State  of  Sonora,  and  30  miles  from 
Magdalena;  the  latter  being  only  about  140  miles  from 
Tucson. 

We  copy  from  a  report  of  Mr.  L.  Jannin  on  the  mines  of 
this  district,  which  has  just  been  published,  the  following  : 
"  Leaving  Cncurpe,  and  passing  by  the  cultivated  fields  of 
its  inhabitants,  we  find  the  road  to  the  mines  leading  up  the 
San  Miguel  River,  sometimes  emerging  into  an  open  plain. 
After  fi'llovving  the  course  of  this  river  some  twelve  miles, 
and  passing  El  Pintor  and  the  deserted  Pueblo  de  Dolores, 
the  road  leads  us  over  table-lands  and  meadows,  the  former 
adorned  with  oak  and  ash  trees,  the  latter  covered  with 
waving  grass,  until  we  reach  a  broad  belt  of  thickly  wooded 
land,  where  the  San  Miguel  first  makes  its  appearance  in 
tiic  dry  season.  From  this  point  the  river  always  contains 
running  water.  In  the  rainy  season  it^  rushes  violently 
along,  sometimes  overflowing  its  banks,  but  in  the  dry  season 
it  floats  along  tamely,  scarcely  covering  its  bed.  All  the  land 
between  Cucurpe  and  this  i)oint  is  of  the  richest  descrip- 
tion. It  is  unsurpassed  in  fertility  by  any  portion  of  Sonora, 
and  grain  of  all  kinds  can  be  raised  without  the  slightest 
trouble. 

In  former  times,  the  whole  valley  was  populated,  and  the 
number  of  cultivated  fields  and  the  numerous  herds  of  graz- 
ing cattle  proclaimed  the  wealth  of  the  inhabitants.  But 
the  continued  incursions  of  the  Apaches  since  1832,  by 
driving  ofl"  the  unresisting  inhabitants  and  gathering  the 
harvests  they  had  j)lanted,  have  dejiopulated  and  ruined  the 
country.  Deserted  ranches  are  met  along  the  road.  No 
one  lives  here.  No  one  dares  to  plant  grain,  and,  as  it  is 
here,  so  it  is  also  throughout  the  northern  part  of  the  State. 
Leaving  the  belt  of  wooded  land  that  I  have  mentioned,  the 


67 


road  still  takes  us  over  meadows  and  table  lands,  up  the 
valley  of  the  San  Miguel  and  toward  its  source,  the  Canon 
de  Santa  Teresa,  a  distance  of  15  miles.  Here,  low  ranges 
of  hills,  isolated  peaks,  and  broken  country,  becoming  nvn-c 
and  more  frequent,  herald  our  approach  to  a  moantaiii 
range,  and  soon  we  are  in  the  canon,  with  steep  hills  on 
each  side. 

The  range  of  mountains  in  the  foot-hills,  in  which  are 
the  mines  of  Santa  Teresa,  is  known  by  the  name  of  Sierra 
Azul,  and  its  culminating  i)eak  is  the  Cerro  Azul,  which 
towers  high  above  all  the  range,  forming  a  most  prominent 
object  for  a  distance  of  over  forty  miles.  The  general  course 
of  the  range  is  north  and  south,  but  spurs  of  the  Cerro  ex- 
tend in  all  directions.  The  country  is  mountainous  in  the 
extreme.  There  are  no  table-lands,  no  valleys,  and  no  open 
space  of  any  extent,  nor  are  the  ranges  of  foot-hills  contin- 
uous, but  are  broken  up  by  side  ravines  and  canons,  down 
which,  in  rainy  seasons,  the  water  finds  its  way  to  the  vari- 
ous arroyos.  These  arroyos  form  the  circuitous  roads  by 
which  one  point  is  reached  from  another.  The  position  of 
the  Mineral  de  Santa  Teresa  is  correctly  indicated  by  Col- 
onel de  Fleury's  late  map  of  Souora.  From  it  can  be  seen 
the  relative  position  of  the  Mineral  to  the  neighboring 
pueblos,  owing  to  the  mountains  around  it.  The  only  broad 
road  leading  to  the  mines  is  the  one  I  have  described.  All 
others  are,  and  can  only  be,  foot-trails.  The  mines  are 
upon  three  distinct  veins,  known  as  the  Trinidad,  San  An- 
tonio, aud  the  Santa  Biviana.  The  openings  on  the  Trini- 
dad and  San  Antonio  are  in  the  Real  de  Santa  Teresa,  while 
those  on  the  Santa  Biviana  vein  are  in  a  neighboring  real 
of  the  same  name. 

The  Beal  de  Santa  Teresa  is  approached  by  a  canon  of 
that  name,  and  is  situated  some  three  miles  from  its  outlet. 
The  bed  of  this  caiion  is  a  dry  arroj'o,  aud  its  sides  are 
formed  by  a  range  of  foot-hills  rising  up  several  hundred 
feet,  aud  inclined  towards  the  bed  at  an  angle  varying  from 
50  to  70  degrees.  The  arroyo  varies  in  width  from  50  to 
300  yards,  and  forms  the  only  road  to  the  mines.  In  the 
rainy  season,  the  water  flowing  down  from  the  various  ra- 
vines and  from  the  Salto,  (the  source  of  the  Sau  Miguel) 
fills  the  arroyo  and  renders  freighting  in  wagons  difficult, 
but  does  not  impede  transit  by  mules  and  pack-trains.  At 
the  time  of  my  visit  it  was  perfectly  dry,  aud  generally  re- 
mains so  during  nine  months  of  the  year. 

The  Caiion  de  Santa  Teresa  has  a  generally  north-easteriy 


fis 


direction,  although  subject  to  many  turns.  lutlie  neighbor- 
hood of  the  mines,  its  direction  is  us  indicated,  and  the  veia 
pursues  a  uearlj  parallel  course.  The  mountain  mass  of 
this  Mineral — in  fact,  the  whole  range — is  a  hard,  dark-blue 
limestone,  distinctly  stratified,  and  dipping  to  the  cast  at  an 
angle  of  60  degrees.  Its  strike  is  nearly  north  aud  south. 
The  course  of  the  veins  is  contrary  to  the  stratification  of 
the  limestone,  which  forms  its  walls;  and  they  have  all  the 
appearance  of  being  true  fissure  veins.  The  walls  are  gen- 
erally firm  and  enduring. 

The  Trinidad  vein  crops  out  at  various  places  on  the 
northerly  slope  of  the  caiion.  Its  general  direction  is  north- 
east by  south-west ;  but  it  changes  its  course  with  the  slope 
of  the  hills,  and  at  places  it  is  heaved  by  faults  and  cross- 
veins.  The  outcroppings  can  be  traced  at  various  heights 
above  the  head  of  the  canon,  until  it  reaches  the  opening 
called  El  Arroyo.  Here  the  vein  leaves  the  northerly  slope 
of  the  canon,  crossing  over  the  arroyo  in  a  diagonal  direc- 
tion, and  finally  emerges  on  the  opposite  slope,  still  preserv- 
ing the  same  general  direction.  The  San  Antonio  vein,  on 
the  other  hand,  is  entirely  on  the  southerly  slope  of  the  caiion. 
Its  ge  jeral  direction  is  north-east  by  north,  but  it  also 
changes  its  course  with  the  slopes  of  tlie  hills.  These  two 
veins  converge  toward  one  another  ;  but  although  they  have 
been  followed  for  many  aweary  mile,  their  point  of  junction 
has  not  been  discovered.  The  general  appearance  of  the  out- 
cropping is  the  same  in  the  two  veins,  with  some  slight  local 
differences.  It  is  a  hard,  compact  quartz,  sometimes  thickly 
impregnated  with  peroxyd  of  manganese,  and  at  others, 
merely  colored  by  its  presence.  It  is  seldom  found  with  a 
honey-comb  structure.  At  places  the  veins  outcrop  boldly 
to  the  height  of  several  feet,  aud  at  others,  disappear  be- 
neath the  soil.  The  width  of  the  vein  does  not  remain  con- 
stant ;  but  the  general  average  may  be  put  down  at  two-and- 
a-half  to  three  feet.  The  San  Antonio  vein  shows  somewhat 
larger  at  the  various  openings  than  does  the  Trinidad  ;  but 
the  ore  in  the  latter  is  found  more  uniformly  distributed. 
Wherever  the  veins  outcrop,  openings  have  been  made. 
On  the  Trinidad  vein  there  are  six  in  number  ;  and  on  the 
San  Antonio,  there  are  seven.  The  different  mines  opened, 
are  the  El  Loreto,  that  assayed,  at  a  depth  of  -iO  feet,  $70 
to  $80  per  ton  ;  vein  small  at  surface,  broadens  out  to  2i  feet 
in  the  shaft;  angle  of  inclination,  40  cleg,  north-west.  La 
Cruz  lies  north-east  of  the  Loreto  ;  depth  of  shaft,  30  feet  ; 
assay,  $70  to  $90,  in  first  opening  ;  second,  depth  60  feet; 


60 


vein  2  to  2^  feet  thick ;  dips  about  45  (leg.;   assay,  same  as 
former.     La   Falda  assayed   $118  per   ton.     The  Trinidad 
is  the   principal  mine  ;  shaft   150  feet  deep,  with  some  of 
the  pillars  extracted  ;    some    left  standing,    that   would  as- 
say over  $80   per  ton,  while  the  ore  in  the  lower  gallery 
assays  $150.     Water   comes   into   ihe    lower    levels.     The 
miners,  in  abandoning  the  property,  have  of  course  left  no 
rich    deposit  in   the  mines  ;  but  the  evidences  are  that  an 
abundance  of  rich  ore  must  have  been  extracted.     The  Ar- 
royo mine  was  said   to  be  very   rich,  and  is   70  feet  deep  ; 
filled  with  water,  but  could  be  cleared  for  about  $600.     The 
San  Francisco  is  30  feet  deep  ;  the  ore  sometimes  occurs  in 
large  bunches  and  pockets  (or  "  bonanzas")  ;  sometimes  in 
small    nodules,  and   sometimes  disseminated  throughout  the 
mass  in  minute  particles.     The  vein  is  never  free  from  metal. 
The  San  Antonio  vein  has  seven  openings,  viz.,  San  Pedro, 
La  Burra,  Coijsolacion,  San  Antonio,  Corazon  de  Maria,  Santa 
Gertrudis,  and  Las  Animas.     Of  the  first  three  lean  say  but 
little  in  their  present  state,  as  they  all  need  clearing  out. 
The  Consolacion  is  in  a  better  state  of  preservation  than  the 
other  two,  and  a  fair  average  ore  can  be  taken  from  it.    The 
San  Antonio  enjoys  a  great  reputation;   but  at  present  it  is 
in  a  dilapidated  condition.     The  mine  is  filled  with  rubbish. 
Li  the  Corazon  de  Maria  the  miners  left  nothing   rich   iu 
sight.     Santa  Gertrudis   contains  good  ores,  and  will  assay 
$200  to  $500  per  ton.     The  average  value  of  all  T  saw  at  the 
mouth  is  $270  per  ton.    The  others  will  average  $80  per  ton." 
By  comparing  the  locations   on  the  map  of  Col.  Fleury  on 
Sonora,   Sinaloa,    Cliihuahua,    and    Durango,  it  will  be  ob- 
served that  these  mines,  of  which  we  have  reproduced  a  con- 
densed description  from  Mr.  Jannin's  report,  are  located  but 
a  short  distance,  about  forty  miles,  soutli-east  of  Santa  Cruz, 
and  in  the  neighhorhood  of  the  richest  mineral  and  agricult- 
ural region  of   the  state,  outside  of  the  rich  lands  of   the 
Yaqui  Uiver. 

La  Alameda  is  situated  in  the  JSTacameri  district,  21  miles 
west  of  the  pueblo  of  iSTacameri.  This  mine  was  discovered 
in  1835,  and  was  once  extensively  worked.  The  mines  of 
this  district  are  all  of  silver,  with  a  very  good  "ley,"  about 
$G0  per  ton. 

Batuco  also  possesses  some  mines. 

The  Kio  Chico  district  is  in  the  south-western  part  of  the 
state,  120  miles  from  llermosillo,  near  the  Yaqui  River,  is  one 
of  the  most  ancient  mineral  regions  of  Soiioia,  and  in  the 
last  century  produced  great   quantities  uf  gold  and  silver. 


70 

Placers  of  gold  were  also  discovered  here.  The  gambuci- 
■nos  arc  still  working  some  of  the  mines.  El  Aguiija  is  an 
old  mineral  region  of  the  last  century.  Its  principal  mines 
are  Guillamena,  Ubarbol,  and  La  Grande.  These  mines  are 
mostly  abandoned,  though  worked  by  gambucinos.  Suaque 
contains  many  mines  of  gold  and  silver,  which  are  but  little 
worked.  La  Trinidad  is  one  of  the  oldest  mineral  regions 
of  the  State,  situated  at  the  base  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  on  a 
branch  of  the  river  Mayo.  Its  area  is  comprised  almost  en- 
tirely of  mines,  the  principal  ones  of  which  are  worked  by 
Mr.  Alsua  of  Guaymas,  by  a  modern  stamp-mill,  who  is  tak- 
ing out  in  bullion,  monthly,  about  $100,000.  This  district 
is  reached  by  a  road  from  Sahuaripa  tlirough  Babicanora, 
south,  on  the  Bapepito  River,  a  branch  of  the  Yaqui  ;  thence 
to  Conichi,  Ouava,  Rio  Chico,  Nury  ;  thence  north-east  to 
Caraja,  San  Nicolas,  Santa  Rosa,  and  Trinidad. 

The  district  of  Bacuachi  is  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
State,  as  well  as  the  copper  mines  of  La  Cananea.  The  gold 
found  in  this  district  is  coarse,  and  pieces  were  found  weigh- 
ing 25  marcs.  In  fact,  the  whole  of  this  region  is  covered 
with  veins  of  gold  and  silver,  and  are  as  yet  undeveloped. 
We  have  called  especial  attention  to  this  district  in  another 
place. 

Among  the  old  mines,  we  may  mention  the  Cajon,  six 
leagues  from  the  San  Francisco  placers  and  twelve 
from  Cieneguilla,  and  those  of  the  hacienda  of  Santa  Rosa, 
near  Cajon,  which  yielded  great  quantities  of  silver  from 
1798  to  1802.  The  average  proportion  of  the  ley  of  the 
best  or  picked  ores  was  six,  eigl.t  and  twelve  marcs  to  the 
arroba;  of  the  poorer  or  second  class,  two  to  four  marcs. 
There  was  a  scarcity  of  ore  in  the  Santa  Rosa  mines,  on  ac- 
count of  the  hardness  and  narrowness  of  the  veins.  In  the 
mines  of  San  Francisco,  water  is  scarce  to  the  extreme,  and 
could  not  be  obtained  nearer  than  21  miles,  and  sold  in 
the  dry  season  at  $1  per  barrel.  The  timber,  also,  in  the  vi- 
cinity, is  uniit  for  building. 

These  mines  are  very  rich,  but  the  expense  is  too  great  to 
work  them  jirofitably.  The  mines  of  Vado  Seco,  to  the 
north  of  San  Ignacio  Pueblo,  on  the  j-oad  to  Tucson,  are  re- 
[lorted  to  be  rich,  as  well  as  the  famous  placer  of  Sobia, 
on  the  main  road  to  the  city  of  Alamos,  half  way  from  Bar- 
ro3'aca. 

The  Cajon  district  contains  a  group  of  some  three  or  four 
mines,  and  are  all  owned  by  a  New  York  company.  The 
nephew  of   General  Magruder  is   the    superintendent,  and 


71 

owns  one-half  interest  in  the  mines.  Tlie  mine  contains  gold 
and  silver-bearing  quartz,  which  assays,  on  an  average,  about 
$65  to  $70  per  ton.  The  deepest  shaft  is  only  down  about 
125  feet.  Rich  spots  are  occasionally  found  in  the  vein,  but 
after  they  get  down  a  certain  distance,  the  veins  commence 
to  pinch  out.  Some  of  the  veins  have  entirely  disa[)pearecl. 
The  mine  has,  however,  paid  well,  as  they  have  taken  out 
already  enough  ore  to  pay  for  the  claim,  mills  and  expenses, 
and  have  now  on  the  dump,  in  sight,  about  $.30,000  worth  of 
ore.  The  mill  has  ten  stamps,  and  is  not  quite  completed, 
but  will  shortly  commence  to  reduce  the  ore. 

The  Las  Cedras,  belonging  to  Don  Santo  Terminal,  is  sit- 
uated in  the  district  of  Barroyaca,  near  the  small  town  of 
Teropaco,  135  miles  from  Guaymas,  in  the  direction  of 
Alamos,  south-east.  This  is  a  very  rich  mine,  and  has  been 
extensively  worked.  It  is  surrounded  by  rich,  arable  lands, 
and  a  permanent  stream  of  water  flows  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  mine.     jJlTegotiations  are  being  made  to  purchase  it. 

During  the  years  1863  and  1864,  many  new  mines  were 
opened,  among  which  were  Las  Criizecitas,  Corral  Viejo  and 
El  Refugio,  tlie  latter  on  the  border  of  Chihuahua,  and  the 
mines  of  La  Cananea. 

On  the  Cerro  Prieto,  between  the  rauchos  de  la  Palma 
and  La  Casa  Pintada,  is  an  old  mine,  called  Tarasca,  almost 
forgotten.  Tradition  places  it  very  rich,  although  it  has  not 
been  worked  for  over  a  century.  In  this  same  neighbor- 
hood are  many  old  mines,  and  vestiges  of  buildings  may  yet 
be  seen  on  their  antiquated  sites. 

In  the  district  of  San  Jose  de  Gracias,  a  celebrated  mine  was 
worked  in  1809-1810,  by  Juan  Jose  Carumina,  who  expended 
all  his  capital  in  bailing  out  the  water  from  the  old  shaft,  and  in 
two  or  three  hours,  after  clearing  it  of  water,  he  took  out  alinnp 
of  ore  weighing  75  [lounds,  which  yielded  112  ounces  of  pure 
silver.  The  water  began  to  gain  on  him  again,  so  that  in 
his  effort  to  keep  it  down,  he  broke  his  bailing  apparatus, 
and  having  contracted  some  debts,  he  could  not  return  to 
his  labor  ;  the  mine  refilled  in  six  or  seven  hours,  and  he 
abandoned  the  enterprise.  A  company  afterwards  under- 
took to  clear  tlie  mine,  but  after  ex[)ending  a  considerable 
sum,  "abandoned  the  mine  ou  account  of  an  accident  to  one 
of  the  workmen,"  says  Vclasco.  This  seems  •incredi  ble  ; 
but  for  the  fact  that  tlie  mines  are  mostly  worked  by  Yaqui 
Indians,  who  are  very  su[)erstitious,  and  believe  that  devils 
inhabit  the  mines,  says  Ruxton,  in  his  "  Adventures  in  Mexi- 
co."    The  accident  to  one  of  their  number  would  prevent 


72 

others  from  working  in  u  haunted  mine,  or  one  inhabited  by 
evil  spirits,  in  their  imagination.  Velasco  further  says  : 
"  Some  of  the  old  inhabitants  of  San  Jose  de  Gracia,  in 
speaking  of  this  mine,  testify  that  the  vein  in  many  ])lace3 
was  of  virgin  silver  ;  and  that  in  others  the  ore  yielded  fifty 
percent,  of  pure  silver;  also,  that  there  was  a  stratum  of 
red  earth  that  yielded  great  quantities  of  gold,  tliey  having 
frequently  witnessed  the  extraction  of  two  or  three  hundred 
marcs  on  one  single  occasion.  The  depth  of  this  mine  ex- 
ceeds one  hundred  varas."  Taking  into  account  the  unreli- 
ability of  traditions,  and  the  extravagance  of  some  j\lexi- 
'cans,  still  there  may  be  some  truth  in  the  tradition,  as  the 
famous  mines  of  Batopilas,  in  Chihuahua,  and  others,  have 
produced  like  results.  If  the  mine  is  still  in  the  condition 
that  Carumina  found  it,  a  steam  pump  would  soon  reveal  its 
hidden  treasures. 

The  mines  of  La  Cananea,  80  years  ago  or  more,  were 
worked  on  a  large  scale  with  great  energy,  by  the  house  of 
Guea,  of  Chihuahua.  We  understand  that  tliese  mines,  or 
the  principal  ones,  are  owned  and  worked  by  Gov.  Pesquiera, 
of  Sonora,  and  are  now  bonded  by  him  to  Eastern  par- 
ties. Nevertheless,  we  give  a  description  of  the  district 
from  tlie  pen  of  the  celebrated  chemist,  Robert  L.  D'Au- 
maille,  mining  engineer  and  official  assay er  for  the  State  of 
Sonora. 

General  Pesquiera  has  worked  five  mines  in  this  district, 
viz:  EI  Ronquillo,  La  Chivatera,  San  Rafael,  (or  La 
Plomosa)  La  Terdilla,  and  La  Cobre  Grande.  The  report 
was  written  by  M.  D'Aumaille  in  18G0,  and  is  as  follows: 
"  La  Cananea  is  situated  about  3G  miles  south-west  of  the 
Presidio  of  Santa  Cruz,  about  54  miles  south-east  of  San 
Pedro,  probably  35  miles  southerly  from  Fort  Buchanan^ 
and  not  far  from  the  Amc'ican  line.  The  mines  worked  are 
seven  in  number,  of  which  thp  principal  are  El  Ronquillo, 
La  Chivatera,  San  Rufael,  Santo  Domingo,  La  Minade  Cobre 
Pobre,  and  La  Mina  de  Plomo  do  Arvallo.  In  addition  to 
these  mines  are  La  Mariquilla,  (of  white  copper)  El  Tajo, 
(the  ancient  mine),  and  others — n\  fact,  the  whole  region 
is  strongly  mineralized  and  of  the  most  prepossessing  ex- 
terior. Th^  hacienda  do  Beneficio  y  Perez  y  Arvallo  is  on 
the  El  Ritto,  a  permanent  st^-eam  at  the  foot  of  the  mount- 
ains, about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  mi'ies.  T'he  grfiiter 
portion  of  the  road  is  excellent,  and  the  lemaivider  can  be 
readily  made  so.  The  hacienda  is  a  mass  of  ruins,  over- 
grown with  rank  vegetation.     The  machinery  was  destroyed 


73 


by  natives  carrying  away  the  iron  available.  The  situation 
is  pleasant,  on  the  border  of  a  vast  plain  covered  with  wild 
mustangs  or  horses,  and  which  stretches  away  to  San  Pedro, 
and  contains  much  arable,  with  any  quantity  of  grazing  land, 
and  lies  immediately  around  the  site.  Half  a  mile  or  soup 
the  valley  brings  us  to  the  mine  of  El  Ronquillo,  called  also 
from  its  refractory  ores.  La  Maletiosa,  with  its  ancient  ha- 
cienda. This  mine  was  the  property  of  Arvallo,  but  the 
miners  were  driven  oft'  by  the  A|)aclies.  El  Ronquillo  has 
a  thickness  of  from  three  and  a  half  to  four  feet  of  very  good 
ore,  worked  to  a  depth  of  80  feet.  It  has  several  shafts  full 
of  water  to  the  brim,  which  comes  from  copious  springs  in 
the  lower  workings,  and  a  ravine  wliich  passes  across  the 
vein,  and  from  its  situation  upon  the  gentle  slope  of  a  hill 
which  gradually  merges  into  the  plain  beneath,  it  cannot  be 
drained  by  a  tunnel,  but  recourse  must  be  had  to  steam 
machinery.  The  ore  of  this  mine  assayed  from  $30  to  $80 
per  ton.  Passing  through  the  ravine,  copper  crop[tings  are 
seen.  One-quarter  of  a  mile  further,  is  located  the  mine  of 
La  Chivatera,  situated  on  a  steej)  declivity,  admirably 
adapted  to  tunnel  drainage,  and  is  half  full  of  water.  It 
bears  every  external  evidence  of  being  a  powerful  vein,  but 
we  are  told  that  it  is  really  an  irregular  deposit.  Tbree 
hundred  yards  higher  up  li<.s  a  great  open  cellar,  for  I  can 
compare  it  to  nothing  else,  with  a  small  pile  of  refuse  lying 
at  one  side. 

Tl)is  is  the  mine  of  Tajo,  of  San  Rafael.  Judging  from 
the  small  amount  of  earth  visible,  and  the  statement  of  the 
old  administrador,  it  is  nearly  a  solid  mass  of  ore.  You 
have  ore  on  all  sides  in  the  level,  so  that  it  is  impossible  to 
tell  where  the  vein  is.  This  ore  is  ductile  and  most  easily 
reducible.  It  flows  like  water  in  the  furnace.  The  supply 
is  a[)parently  inexhaustible.  Further  up  the  glen  is  the 
Mina  do  Plomo  de  Arvallo,  of  the  same  character  as  San 
Rafael.  Tlie  ores  of  these  mines  appear  to  consist  princi- 
pally of  oxide  and  sulphate  of  lead;  although  vast  masses 
of  galena  arc  found,  and  are  so  soft  that  a  single  barretero 
can  tlirow  down  many  tons  a  day,  while  the  cost  of  extrac- 
tion is  nothing.  The  shafts  appear  of  trivial  dimensions, yet 
they  have  been  worked  from  time  immemorial,  and  the 
litharge  or  jugos,  from  San  Rafael,  have  supplied  all  iiorth- 
ern  Sonora  with  that  necessary  article  ;  and  they  have  even 
formed  an  article  of  ex[)ort  to  Jesn<  Maria,  and  other  great 
mining  districts  of  Central  Chihuahua.  The  ore  of  the 
Cobre  Pobre  Mine  in  the  vicinity  is  boundless  in  extent,  but 


74 

of  inferior  quality.  Near  this  point  is  also  located  the  great 
vein  of  La  Mariquilla.  We  have  been  assured  that  it  was  in 
the  sierra  of  La  Mariquilla,  twelve  miles  to  the  north.  This 
mine,  from  its  alleged  dimensions,  and  the  richness  of  its 
ores,  has  great  interest  attjched  to  it,  as  the  cause  of  its 
abandonment  was  the  fact  of  its  producing  white  copper, 
something  like  the"paktong"  of  China,  or  the  white  cop- 
per of  Heidelburghausen,  the  prototype  of  German  silver. 
But  the  accounts  of  this  mine  are  so  obscure,  conflicting  and 
contradictory,  that  nothing  can  be  made  of  it,  but  actual 
discovery  of  the  mine.  Some  have  denied  the  existence  of 
this  mine  or  vein,  and  others  claim  to  have  smelted  it,  who 
pronounced  it  an  alloy  of   copper  and  silver. 

El  Tajo,  the  most  ancient  mine,  is  a  huge  rent  in  the 
earth  like  the  Pamys  mine  in  Iglesia,  but  the  ores  changed 
at  the  depth  of  30  feet,  suddenly,  into  pyrites.  It  is  prol)able 
from  analogy  that  tbese  pyrites  are  argentiferous.  Immense 
masses  of  black  rock  were  abandoned  by  the  ancient  miners 
in  the  walls,  under  the  supposition,  probably,  that  the}' 
were  black  slate,  which  were  subsequently  assayed  and 
proved  to  be  a  semi-stratified  silicate  of  the  diuoxide  of 
copper. 

Other  mines  of  argentiferous  galena,  varying  from  12  to 
320  ounces  per  ton,  are  alleged  to  exist  near  the  Ojo  de 
Agua  de  Arvalla.  Besides  the  oak,  there  are  vast  and  most 
accessible  forests  of  charaunque,  a  species  of  pitch  [due  of 
great  strength  and  durability,  excellently  adapted  for  ma- 
chinery and  building  materials. 

Tlie  mines  are  accessible  by  a  good  wagon  road  via  Santa 
Cruz  from  Fort  Buchanan,  Tubac,  La  Piedra  Parade,  and 
Guaymas,  and  are  surrounded  by  the  great  depopulated  ha- 
ciendas of  San  Bernardino,  El  Ojo  de  Agua  de  Arvalla,  an- 
other Ojo  de  Agua,  Cuitahaca,  El  Agua  Escondida,  Las 
Animas,  and  Banamichi. 

Another  road,  called  a  wagon  road,  but  poorly  deserving 
the  name,  passes  by  Eacuachi,  Arispe,  Ures,  and  Hermosillo, 
to  Guaymas.  Its  position  is  romantic  and  delightful.  Pas- 
tures exist  green  ia  Bacuachi  all  the  year  round,  and  of  the 
most  nutritious  quality.  Cultivable  land  of  considerable 
extent  is  found  in  the  same  hacienda,  which  is  the  natural 
feeder  of  the  real.  The  mines  themselves  are  said,  by 
Felipe  Perez,  to  be  on  public  land,  a  narrow  strip  or  sobrante 
between  two  ranches.  All  the  necessaries  of  a  great  estab- 
lishment— building  material  and  fluxes — abound  in  excess. 
Building  stone,    granite,  fine    marble,    tepustete,  arenillas, 


75 


jugos  aud  syndas  are  plentiful;  and,  during  the  search  for 
the  lost  mines  of  Las  Larnas,  Espiritu  Sunto,  on  the  road  to 
Banamichi,a  vast  deposit  of  most  refractoiy  furnace  sand- 
stone was  found,  the  first  seen  in*Sonora.  The  water  is 
good  and  the  locaUty  healtliful,  and  in  proximity  to  the 
American  military  stations  of  Fort  Buchanan  and  Arritoypa," 
and  the  Southern  Pacific  R.  R.,  which  passes  within  about 
150  miles  of  the  district. 

"  Ange  Robert  L.   D.  Amuaille, 
Ensayador  Oficial  de  Estado  de  Sonora, 
29  de  Mayo  de  1860." 

La  Basura  is  the  first  mining  region  discovered  in  the 
country  of  the  Papajos,  and  is  situated  twenty-four  miles 
north-west  of  Caborca.  Its  veins  are  numerous,  especially 
those  of  gold  ;  but  although  they  are  of  marvelous  richness, 
this  lasts  but  a  short  time,  as  the  deposits  extend  but  a  short 
distance  below  the  surface,  San  Perfect©  was  the  second  dis- 
covery made  in  the  Papajo  country.  Qnitovac  was  the 
third  discovery,  about  seventy  miles  north-west  from  Ca- 
borca, and  the  same  distance  from  the  town  of  Guadalupe 
or  Altar.  The  placers  were  first  worked,  they  being  very 
abundant  in  gold,  which  lay  in  grains  on  the  surface,  as  at 
San  Francisco  and  Cieneguilla,  Afterwards  many  mines 
were  opened  to  the  deptii  of  ten  or  fifteen  varas,  (about  33 
inches  to  eacli  vara)  some  of  which  yielded  from  four  to 
eight  ounces  of  gold  to  the  bowl  (or  "  batea  ");  others  not 
more  than  a  few  cents.  Occasionally  pockets  were  found 
of  large  extent  that  yielded  marveloiisly.  Nuggets  of  large 
size  were  also  found  ;  one  weighed  twenty-one  marcs,  (each 
marc  weighing  4, G08  grains).  A  large  piece  of  gold-I)earing 
quartz  was  extracted  from  a  ledge,  that  was  nearly  all  gold, 
and  weighed  over  thirty  marcs.  San  Antonio,  another 
placer,  about  ten  miles  west  of  Quitovac,  was  discovered  a 
few  days  after  the  latter,  and  was  exceedingly  rich  at  the 
surface.  The  discovery  of  these  placers  was  owing  to 
Father  Faustino  Gon?;a!ez,  who  prevailed  upon  the  l*apajo 
Indians  to  reveal  their  localit}^  in  1835.  Gonzalez  made  a 
large  fortune,  and  he  was  soon  surrounded  by  whites  and 
Indians  in  great  numbers.  The  placer  continued  rich  for 
several  years,  and  was  worked  until  1841,  when  the  Papajos 
rose,  and  expelled  the  whites. 

After  quiet  was  restored,  a  few  persons  returned  to  Qui- 
tovac and  worked  some  mines  discovered  after  the  placers, 
in  the  neighborhood  of  an  abundant  spring,  capable  of  sup- 
plying a  population  of  30,000  or  40,000  inhabitants. 


76 

III  tlie  Soiioiea  Viilley,  which  is  situated  about  36  miles 
north  of  Quitovac,  on  the  road  to  Lower  Cahfornia,  the  gold 
discovered  was  very  fine  and  light. 

Alamo  Muerto,  about  48  miles  west  of  Caborca,  contains 
gold  and  silver  mines  and  placers.  It  was  discovered  in 
the  same  year  as  Quitovac,  and  although  its  ores  yield  a  fair 
proportion  of  silver,  the  scarcity  of  quicksilver  prevented 
their  being  worked  to  anj'  great  extent.  There  were,  how- 
ever, ten  mines  in  operation  at  the  time  of  the  rising  of  the 
Papajos,  all  of  which  were  abandoned. 

Las  Palomas,  six  miles  to  the  south  of  Alamo  Muerto^ 
were  rich  placers  of  gold,  similar  to  those  of  Quitovaca.  It 
was  also  abandoned  for  the  same  reason,  and  is  now  frequent- 
ed by  a  few  gambucinos,  (poor  miners)  who  are  satisfied 
with  enough  to  provide  them  with  food. 

El  Zone  was  discovered  in  1844,  and  contains  numerous 
gold  mines,  some  of  them  quite  rich  at  the  surface.  From 
cue  of  them  was  taken  a  mass  of  quartz  of  25  pounds 
weight,  yielding  50  per  cent,  of  pure  gold.  A  mine  is  lo- 
cated here  called  liis  Suena;  eight  or  ten  shafts  are  down 
about  300  feet.  Ores  are  shipped  to  Aribaca,  about  120  miles 
on  the  road  to  Tucson;  paj's  about  $200  per  ton. 

Cajitos  is  situated  about  24  miles  north-west  from  Caborca, 
and  about  70  miles  from  port  La  Libertad,  inland,  north-east 
from  the  Gulf  of  California.  The  mines  located  here  are 
in  a  low  range  of  mountains  or  foot-hills.  The  mines  were 
discovered  shortly  after  the  other  mines  in  the  vicinity,  and 
have  been  worked  in  a  superficial  manner  since  1842,  In 
1868,  the  hostile  Indians  drove  the  miners  off,  and  the 
mines  were  abandoned  until  1877,  when  small  bodies  of 
armed  men  returned  and  worked  in  the  old  drifts  and  inclines 
for  a  few  weeks,  then  packed  the  ore  on  their  mules,  and 
slip[»ed  away  quietly  to  Basura,  about  ten  miles  east,  where 
reduction  works  were  established.  The  richest  spots  were 
thus  only  mined  until  1879,  when  the  mines  were  again 
worked  by  the  primitive  arastra.  The  shafts  are  sunk  on 
an  incline  following  the  course  of  the  ore  vein.  Instead  of 
using  the  windlass,  the  ore  is  packed  on  the  back3  of 
miners  in  raw-hide  sacks,  up  ladders  made  by  binding  cleats 
of  wood  U'lon  an  upright  pole,  with  raw-hide  thongs.  The 
ore  is  worked  by  an  iron  bar  called  "barreton,"  about  six 
feet  in  length,  which  is  used  to  throw  it  down,  using  it  as  a 
hand-drill  and  lever.  One  end  is  shaped  like  a  drill,  and  the 
other  is  hammered  flat  and  sharp  like  the  larger  end  of  a 
pick.     The  ore  is  broken  into  small  pieces  and  thus  trans- 


77 

ported  to  tlie  surface,  to  the  arastras.  For  shovels,  the 
horns  of  cattle  are  steeped  in  water  and  flattened  out,  and 
attached  to  pieces  of  wood  with  raw-hide  thongs. 

In  this  manner,  these  mines  have  heen  worked  for  the 
last  35  years,  an  I  about  four  millions  have  been  extracted 
from  the  four  mines  in  the  vicinity.  The  present  depth  of 
the  shafts  is  as  follows  :  The  Tajilos,  275  feet;  Puerte- 
citos,  from  90  to  100  feet;  Gahlea,  80  to  90  feet;  Oro  Blan- 
co, 180  feet;  Santa  Rosalia,  200  feet;  with  two  levels  and 
tttations. 

"  The  gold  has  only  been  extracted,  althougli  a  large  per- 
centage of  silver  is  found  in  the  ore,  which  has  been  al- 
lowed to  waste,  owing  to  the  lack  of  materials  to  save  it. 
Mr.  C.  E.  Uoffman,  mining  engineer  of  this  city,  although 
his  residence  is  in  San  Jose,  some  months  since  was  sent  to 
Tucson  to  examine  some  mines  in  Arizona,  jind  while  there, 
met  a  Mexican,  who  showed  him  some  of  tlie  ore  from 
these  mines,  which,  on  being  assayed,  was  found  to  be  very 
rich.  £Ie  accompanied  the  Mexican  to  the  mines,  was  sat- 
isfied with  their  richness,  and  purchased  the  four  mines,  and 
thirteen  others  in  the  vicinity  in  the  Juarez  and  Cajitos  mining 
district,  for  himself  and  some  gentlemen  in  this  city,  who 
subsequently  organized  the  Caborca  Mining  Co.  lie  re- 
turned again  last  April,  and  has  been  superintending  their 
development,  building  reservoirs,  and  preparing  a  site  for  a 
20-stamp  mill.  The  water  is  abundant  in  the  vicinity, 
which  is  caught  in  reservoirs,  and  the  one  now  constructed 
has  sufficient  water  to  supply  a  20-8tamp  mill  for  eighteen 
months. 

"  In  this  district  the  rancheros  irrigate  their  lands  by  reser- 
voirs; though  grain,  if  sown  in  season,  and  grass,  thrive 
very  well  without.  Mr.  Ilotfman  has  in  his  employ  about 
sixty  Yaquis.  These  Indians  perform  almost  all  the  labor 
of  Sonora,  and  are  emi>loyed  at  from  50  cents  to  $1  per  day. 
The  ores  of  these  mines  assayed  on  an  average  v'SO  per  ton. 
The  ores  of  the  Oro  Blanco  mine  in  this  group,  assayed  as 
high  as  $224.94 — about  two-thirds  being  silver.  The  Santa 
Rosalia,  about  four  miles  from  the  Oro  Blanco,  west,  went 
about  il51;  and  the  Alberca,  $85.75,  gold  and  silver,  of 
about  equal  proportions.  Thus  we  see  the  whole  of  this 
region  surrounding  Caborca  is  one  of  the  richest  in  the  state, 
and  may  be  worked  with  enormous  results.  The  price  of 
transportation  will  not  exceed  $25  per  ton  to  Port  la  Liber- 
tad,  and  may  there  be  shipped  to  San  Francisco  for  $8  per 
ton  additional ;  although  Mr.  Iloft'man  proposes  to  work  the 


78 


ore  b}'  a  20-stamp  mill,  until  the  mines  are  further  devel- 
oped; then  add  to  their  capacity  40  stamps  more.  Hay  can 
be  purchased  at  the  mines  at  $1G  per  ton,  and  wood  at  $2.50 
and  $3.00  per  cord.  The  hill-sides  in  the  vicinity  are 
thickly  covered  with  a  lieavy  growth  of  iron-wood,  mesquite, 
and  palo-verde.  The  location  is  such  that  the  mines  can  be 
profitably  worked,  and  yield  rich  returns  to  the  owners. 
The  Santa  Felicita  mine,  twenty  miles  east  of  the  Ciijitos 
Mining  Camp,  is  owned  by  Mr.  Davis  of  Chicago,  who  has 
erected  a  20-stamp  mill,  and  is  working  in  free  gold  ore.  The 
Cajon  mine,  twenty  miles  south-west,  is  worked  by  a  10- 
starap  mill.''     (From  report  of  Mr.  C.  E.  Hoffman.) 

We  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Benjamin  Rountree  for  the  fol- 
lowing: 

"  The  principal  mine  of  the  mining  district  of  La  Bar- 
ranca, in  the  jurisdiction  of  San  Javier,  is  the  Taruraari,  a 
silver  mine,  which  is  owned  by  the  Barranca  Mill  and  Mining 
Company,  of  Guaymas.  The  owners  are,  IST.  Graff,  F.  R. 
Rountree,  F.  Ench,  and  Arturo  Culicuro.  This  mine  has 
reached  a  depth  of  300  feet,  and  has  produced  bullion  to  the 
amount  of  $1,500,000.  The  width  of  the  vein  is  from  two 
and  a  half  to  four  feet.  The  average  assay  has  been,  for  all 
the  working  ores,  about  $100  per  ton.  The  lowest  workings 
are  upon  richer  ore,  reaching  $160  per  ton,  with  a  vein  at 
the  lowest  workings,  18  inches.  The  ore  contains  about  five 
per  cent,  gold  in  bullion.  A  20-stamp  mill,  concentrator, 
etc.,  are  located  at  the  mines.  The  ores  are  worked  by  the 
lixiviate  process,  or  roasting,  and  then  passed  through  a  wet 
crusher.  The  ores  are  rebellious,  and,  consequently,  have  to 
be  roasted  before  treating.  This  mine  is  located  about  120 
miles  north-east  from  Guaymas,  and  about  100  east  from 
Hermosillo,  10  from  LosBronces,  8  from  San  Javier."  The 
same  company  owns  the  extensive  coal  beds  hereafter  men- 
tioned, which  are  located  1,500  feet  from  this  mine. 

The  region  or  mining  district  of  Bolas  de  la  Plata  is  sup- 
posed to  be  located  in  the  northern  part  of  Sonora,  near  the 
boundary  line  of  Arizona.  Its  importance  is  chiefly  derived 
from  traditions  of  virgin  silver  having  been  found  "  at  the 
place  called  Arizona,  on  a  mountain  ridge  about  half  a 
league  in  extent.  The  discovery  was  made  by  a  Yaqui  In- 
dian, who  revealed  it  to  a  trader,  and  the  latter  made  it 
public.  At  a  depth  of  a  few  varas,  masses  of  pure  silver 
were  found,  of  a  globular  form,  and  of  one  and  two  arrobas  in 
weight.  Several  pieces  were  taken  out  weighing  upwards 
of  20  arrobas,  or  500  pounds  ;  and  one  found  by  a  person 


79 

« 
from  Guadalajara  weighed  140  arrobas,  or  3,500  pounds,'" 
all  of  which  has  been  quoted  and  given  as  a  probable  fact 
in  many  works,  and  is  found  referred  to  as  a  tradition  in 
many  Spanish  and  English  works,  and  even  quoted  as  a  fact; 
since  in  the  same  year  of  the  discovery,  17G9,  the  Presidio 
of  Altar  seized  upon  lai-ge  masses  of  silver  in  the  possession 
of  certain  persons  as  the  property  of  the  crown,  which  was 
denied  by  the  ])arties  interested,  and  the  matter  taken  into 
the  audience  chamber  of  Guadalajara,  and  from  thence  was 
referred  to  the  court  of  Madrid.  Seven  years  having 
elapsed,  the  crown  decided  that  the  silver  pertained  to  the 
royal  patrimony.  The  farts  and  all  the  data,  in  our  opinion, 
can  amount  to  no  more,  than  that  certain  rumors  were  in  ex- 
istence, in  rckition  to  the  products  of  one  of  the  rich  mines 
of  Souora,  which  had  been  seized  by  an  officer  of  the  crown: 
and  had  been  found  in  a  melted  state  in  the  mountains,  at 
some  mythical  spot.  The  fact  that  the  silver  was  in  the 
shape  of  balls  indicates  that  they  were  simpl}'  the  ordinary 
products  of  one  of  the  rich  mines,  and  had  been  melted  into 
the  balls  before  mentioned,  from  the  fact  that  formerly  the 
silver  in  Mexico  was  thus  melted,  instead  of  into  bars  or 
bricks,  as  at  present. 

The  following  is  copied  from  the  Appendix  of  "  Ward 
on  Mexico,"  which  contains  a  complete  report  of  the  dis- 
trict of  Babiacora  : 

"  In  the  neighborhood  of  Babiacora  there  are  many  silver 
mines,  the  most  of  which  contain  a  greater  or  less  propor- 
tion of  gold.  The  principal  are  Dolores  and  San  Antonio 
to  the  south- we>t  of  the  town;  Cerro  Gordo,  to  the  south- 
east, and  Cobriza,  on  the  Cerro  de  San  Felipe,  in  the  valley 
above  Babiacora. 

'"  The  Cerro  Gordo  mine  is  situated  four  leagues  south- 
east of  Babiacora,  on  a  very  high  hill,  and  appears  to  have 
been  of  considerable  interest,  from  the  great  quantities  of 
refuse  ores  thrown  out  on  its  sides.  The  quantity  of  water 
contained  in  it  cannot  be  ascertained,  as  there  is  not  any 
perpendicular  shaft.  From  the  steepness  of  the  hill,  a  tun- 
nel might  be  driven  far  below  the  bottom  of  the  works,  from 
a  fin  ;  plain.  The  vein  is  about  one-half  yard  in  width. 
Some  of  the  rejected  ores  produce  from  12  to  30  marcs  per 
'monton,'  (often  cargas,  (;r  3,000  lbs.) 

"The  mine  of  Cobriza  de  San  Felipe,  eight  leagues  north 
of  Babiacora,  and  three  from  the  town  of  Ituapaca,  with  the 
haciendas  and  runchos  of  San  Felipe,  Agua  Caliente,  and 
Los  Chinos,  in  its  neighborhood,  is  said  to  have  been  aban- 


80 


doned  when  producing  pure  silver,  which  the  miners  cut  out 
in  small  pieces  by  means  of  large  shears  and  chisels.  The 
Apaches  drove  the  miners  away,  and,  during  their  absence, 
the  shafts  became  fiJcd  with  water,  and  a  large  rock 
fell  into  the  mouth,  blocking  it  completely  up."  This  was 
in  1827. 

The  mine  of  Tacapuchi  is  three  leagues  from  Babiacora 
south-east.  The  ores  produce  14  marcs  per  monton,  or 
about  $44.80  per  3,000  lbs. 

Dolores,  one  league  from  Babiacora,  produces  silver  in 
the  same  proportion,  with  a  mixture  of  gold.  These  mines 
are  all  advantageously  situated,  with  wood  and  water  in 
abundance  adjacent,  and  are  distant  about  70  leagues  from 
Guaymas. 

About  eight  leagues  from  Oposura  north-west,  are  the 
old  and  celebrated  mines  of  San  Juan  Bautista.  The 
Mineral  of  San  Juan  is  a  mountain  of  itself,  encircled  by 
others  to  the  north-west  and  south  of  considerably  greater 
elevation.  It  is  3,000  yards  in  length  from  east  to  west, 
and  1,500  wide  at  the  broadest  point,  and  is  entirely  sur- 
rounded by  a  ravine  which  opens  into  a  large  jtlain.  The 
mountain  or  hill  is  600  feet  high,  at  the  summit  of  which 
the  principal  vein,  called  Santa  Ana,  crosses  from  north  to 
south.  This  is  crossed  by  another  vein  on  the  northern 
slope  of  the  mountain,  and  is  called  El  Rosario.  These 
mines  have  produced  enormously,  but  now  contain  much 
water. 

Twelve  other  distinct  veins  are  found,  with  small  threads 
of  virgin  silver  permeating  the  centre.  The  azogues,  (ores 
that  contain  quicksilver)  which  are  very  abundant,  are  un- 
touched, though  they  produce  from  24  to  96  ounces  of  pure 
silver  to  the  carga  of  300  lbs.  or  from  $140  to  $650  per  ton. 
The  ores,  by  smelting,  have  yielded  50  per  cent,  of  pure 
silver. 

Tradition  says  that  when  they  were  compelled  to  abandon 
Santa  Ana  from  water  coming  in,  they  left  off  in  a  vein  of 
pure  silver  one-third  of  a  yard  wide. 

The  twelve  veins  vary  from  one  yard  to  six  in  breadth. 
The  depth  to  which  they  were  worked  is  as  follows:  Santa 
Ana,  140  varas;  Rosario,  60;  Cata  de  la  Agua,  5;  Guada- 
lupe, 4;  Gazapa,  20;  Texedora,  20;  Santa  Catarina,  20; 
Arpa,  12;  Prieta,  12;  Bellotita,  Coronilla,  12;  Fontane,  10. 
Half  a  league  further  to  the  north  of  Santa  Ana  is  the  mine 
of  Descubridora,  with  a  veinof  azogues,  (heavily  charged 
v^^ith  quicksilver)   15  varas   wide;  depth   of  mine,  30  feet; 


I 

1 

I 


81 

• 
assay,  96  ounces  to  the  carga  of   300  lbs,  or  about  $650  per 
ton,  reduced  by  the  amalgamating  process. 

One  league  to  the  westward  is  the  mine  called  Bronzosa, 
or  Los  Bronces,  with  an  immense  vein,  which  may  be  traced 
one  mile  on  the  surface.  It  has  been  considerably  worked, 
but  has  water  in  it.  Two  leagues  further  west  is  the  mine 
called  Cobriza,  a  new  mine  20  varasdeep.  The  two  last  have 
a  good  reputation. 

The  mining  district  of  Nacosari  is  located  16  leagues  from 
Oposura,  and  14  eastward  from  Arispe.  The  entrance  from 
the  ])lain  of  Nacosari  is  up  a  narrow  glen  two  leagues  in 
lengtb,  through  which  flows  a  tolerable  stream  of  water, 
which  is  lost  in  the  sand. 

About  one  mile  from  the  entrance,  during  the  rainy  sea- 
son, it  reaches  to  Ojo  de  la  Agua,  the  source  of  the  Opo- 
sura River.  Just  before  you  arrive  at  Kacosari,  the  glen  ex- 
pands into  a  beautiful  vale,  planted  over  with  a  variety  of 
ornamental  shrubs,  fig  trees,  pomegranates,  peaches,  and 
other  fruits  and  plants,  which  were  once  arranged  with 
order  and  taste,  but  now  form  a  confused  thicket.  The  re- 
mains of  numerous  canals  are  visible,  through  which  water 
was  conveyed  to  every  part  of  the  vale.  This  spot  was  once 
a  residence  of  Jesuits.  The  remains  of  their  dwellings  and 
an  old  church  at  the  upper  end  of  the  valle}^  are  yet  to  be 
seen.  The  surroundings  are  picturesque.  The  mountains 
on  each  side  rise  almost  perpendicularlj^,  and  are  intersected 
with  strata  of  a  great  variety  of  colors.  Some  of  them  pre- 
sent a  mixture  of  bright  red,  yellow,  green,  and  other  varied 
tints. 

There  are  many  excavations  in  the  mountains,  and  the 
principal  mine  is  called  San  Pedro  de  ITacosari.  This  mine 
is  a  phenomenon.  The  vein  runs  east  and  west,  and  is  laid 
open  from  the  surface  for  more  than  1,000  varas,  to  the 
depth  of  70  varas.  The  breadth  of  the  aperture  is  about 
two  yards;  but  on  each  side  are  immense  quantities  of  rub^ 
bish  thrown  out.  Much  dirt  and  sand  have  washed  in  and 
covered  the  vein;  but  general  report  says  that  the  mine  has 
no  water  in  the  interior,  and  that  the  ores  were  so  rich  that 
the  best  yielded  from  25  to  30  marcs  of  silver  to  the  arroba 
(of  25  lbs.). 

The  mines  of  Churuuibabi,  Pinal,  lluacal,  Aguaje,  and 
many  others,  are  situated  to  the  north  and  north-east  of  Na- 
cosari, at  no  great  distance  from  San  Juan  del  Rio,  built 
upon  a  stream  which  falls  into  the  Yaqui.  These  minerals 
are  equally  rich  with  those  already  described.     Pinal  con- 


82 

tains  a  greater  proportion  of  gold  than  silver.  It  is  recorded 
in  the  archives  of  Arispe,  that  the  former  owner,  a  lady  hy 
name,  loaned  quite  a  sum  to  the  government.  Chnrunibabi 
is  a  very  old  mine,  worked  in  the  same  way  as  the  San  Pe- 
dro, lis,  indeed,  are  all  the  mines  in  tliis  part  of  the  country. 
The  direction  of  the  vein  is  east  and  west,  width  two  varas. 
The  last  persons  who  undertook  to  work  this  mine,  were 
named  Escalante,  Vasquez,  and  Coulla.  They  cleared  away 
the  rubbish  at  one  end  until  they  found  a  pillar  left  to  sup- 
port some  of  the  old  workings,  from  which  they  took  ores 
that  produced  $70,000,  and  yielded  70  marcs  of  silver  per 
carga  of  300  lbs.  The  mine  is  laid  open  from  the  surface 
400  yards  in' depth.  Tradition  says  that  the  first  discoverers 
found  the  vein  of  virgin  silver  one-half  vara  wide,  (or  about 
IG  inches)  and  that  it  was  abandoned,  on  account  of  the 
Apaches,  when  the  vein  was  two  varas  or  66  inches  wide, 
(5i  feet)  and  the  ores  assaying  70  marcs  per  carga,  or  about 
$1,500  per  ton.  The  richness  of  these  ores  appears  almost 
incredible;  but  when  we  consider  the  great  quantities  of 
bars  of  silver  the  mines  of  Sonora,  without  the  aid  of  quick- 
silver, have  produced,  the  metals  must  have  been  very  rich 
and  abundant.  Ten  leagues  to  the  west  and  south-west  of 
Nacosari,  and  six  to  the  north  of  San  Juan,  are  the  mines  of 
Tonbarachi  and  San  Pedro  VirguilHa,  with  ores  of  from  six 
to  eight  marcs  per  carga.  To  the  west  of  Arispe  are  the 
mines  of  Santa  Teresa,  of  gold  and  silver  completely  virgin, 
and  the  Cerro  or  Mountain  of  San  Pedro,  which  contains 
innumerable  mines  and  veins  untouched.  In  all  the  districts 
above  described,  the  roads  are  only  passable  from  the  public 
roads  for  horses  and  mules.  The  country  being  very  mount- 
ainous, but  not  of  very  great  elevation,  none  of  these  mines 
are  more  than  six  or  seven  leagues  from  rapid  streams  of 
water,  sufficiently  considerable  to  work  ahnost  any  machin- 
evy.  The  mines  of  Aigame,  or  Hay  game,  near  llorcositas, 
are  famous  for  the  abundance  and  richness  of  their  gold- 
bearing  ores.  Those  of  Lam  l*ozas  and  Palos  Blaucos,  live 
leagues  west  of  Tepachi,  are  likewise  good  mines,  with  con- 
siderable veins  carrying  rich  ores." 

On  the  Mining  Districts  of  La.  Carita,  La  Iglesia,  La 
Chipiona,  La  Amargosa  and  Los  Mulatos. 

All  these  districts  comprise  another  seven  hundred  square 
miles  of  a  very  mountainous  country,  situated  around  the 
the    head  waters   of   the    Rio   de    Guisamopa   and    those 


i 


83 

of  the  creek  of  Agna  Verde,  anotlier  tributary  of  the  Sa- 
huari]):i  river;  as  well  as  on  the  Rio  do  Mnlatos,  wliich  is 
the  most  soathern  l)ranch  of  the  head  wnters  of  the  Eio 
Yaqui,  but  already  a  jiowerful  .stiv^am,  vvlicre  it  rushes  past 
the  miniugtowu  of  Mulato-.  Sonic  of  these  niouutain  rauges 
reach  heights  of  GOOO  and  7000  k'vt  above  the  level  of  tiie 
sea.  The  whole  seven  hundred  square  miles  are  covered  with 
most  magnificent  forest  of  pine,  oak  and  a  great  variet}'  of 
other  trees.  Water  is  in  this  extensive  region  by  far  more 
abundant  than  on  the  western  slope  of  the  Sierra  Madre. 
Ever}'  now  and  then  one  meets  a  tine  stream  of  crystal  water, 
leaping  from  rock  to  rock,  as  if  anxious  to  become  of  some 
use  before  leaving  its  birthplace.  Grass  is  also  more  abund- 
ant and  much  sweeter  than  in  the  west,  and  provisions  are 
full  as  near  as  to  Trinidad  and  Guadalupe.  But  Guayraas 
is,  by  fifteen  leagues,  farther  off  from  these  latter  districts. 
As  in  respects  to  the  proposed  Pacific  Railroad,  the  seven 
hundred  miles  I  here  speak  of  are  much  easier  reached  than 
the  seven  hundred  miles  on  the  western  slope  of  the  Sierra, 
since  said  railroad  would  run  close  along  the  southern  line 
thereof.  The  veins  found  in  these  districts  are  even  more  nu- 
merous than  those  in  the  more  western  ones;  also  more  regu- 
lar and  extensive.  But  the  ores,  as  taken  on  an  average,  are 
less  rich  and  of  a  more  complicated  nature  in  respect  to  their 
metallurgical  treatment.  This  is  the  principal  reason  why 
less  mining  has  been  carried  on  here  than  in  the  western 
districts.  J3ut  the  mines  I  am  going  to  describe  are,  there- 
fore, of  less  importance,  since  they  seem  to  make  up  in 
quantity  what  they  fall  short  in  quality,  at  least  as  far  as  veins 
are  concerned.  The  district  of  "La  Carita,"  the  most  west- 
ern of  the  group,  is  situated  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  Sierra 
de  Sanlgnacio,  which  is  in  that  section  of  the  Sierra  Madre, 
the  northern  termini  of  its  most  western  ridge.  The  princi- 
pal part  of  this  district  is  a  bulky  mountain,  about  five  miles 
long  and  5000  feet  high.  Its  cap  of  porphyry  is  more  than 
1000  feet  thick,  but  does  not  prevent  the  green  stone  por- 
phyry, with  its  intermixture  of  iron  pyrites  as  the  precursor 
of  the  ores,  from  cropping  out  in  a  great  number  of  gulches 
and  ravines,  from  most  of  which  the  interior  of  the  mountain 
could  easily  and  cheaply  be  reached.  With  half  a  dozen  of 
tunnels,  hundreds  of  thousands  of  tons  of  valuable  ores  would 
become  accessible,  and  make  this  mountain  one  of  the  most 
famous  of  the  Sierra  Madre.  That  it  is  an  ore-bearing 
mountain  is,  in  addition  to  what  I  have  already  said  about  it, 
proved  by  the  astonishing  number  of  veins  cropping  out  in 


84 

the  cap  of  porphyry.  Only  a  few  of  them  have  been  worked, 
since  their  existence  was  but  recently  discovered.  The  ore 
on  the  surface  of  these  veins  is  greatly  decomposed,  and  is, 
therefore,  very  soft.  It  enters  freely  into  the  Mexican  amal- 
gamation process.  But  after  a  certain  depth  has  been 
reached,  from  twenty  to  forty  yards,  the  sulphuret  of  the 
ore  makes  its  appearance.  This,  without  being  roasted,  does 
not  enter  into  the  amalgamation.  All  the  worked  veins  have 
on  this  account  been  abandoned,  although  the  ores  had  be- 
come more  abundant  than  they  had  been  near  the  surface. 
The  chemical  character  or  compounds  of  the  ore  of  the  La 
Carita  district  J  could  not  determine  without  putting  it  to  an 
analytical  test.  In  appearance  it  differs  from  all  other  ores 
in  the  Sierra  Madre.  In  many  of  the  mines  of  La  Carita  gold 
is  found  on  the  surface,  and  in  quantities  large  enough  to  be 
worked  for.  Being  the  nearest  mining  district  to  the  Rio  de 
Sahuaripa,  La  Carita  has  all  the  mining  facilities  on  hand, 
that  is,  as  far  as  the  country  produces  them.  The  small  min- 
ing village  of  the  same  name  is  situated  at  the  foot  of  the 
mountain,  and  close  to  the  little  streamlet  which  comes  out 
of  it.  In  the  east  the  district  of  La  Carita  is  joined  by  that 
of  La  Iglesia.  About  a  century  ago  La  Iglesia  was  a  large 
mining  village,  but  at  the  present  it  is  but  a  small  rancho, 
with  but  half  a  dozen  families.  As  a  mining  district.  La  Ig- 
lesia calls  the  attention  of  the  geologist  as  well  as  the  minor. 
Its  most  important  geological,  or  rather  mineralogical,  feature 
is,  that  wherever  a  vein  has  been  worked,  the  ores  on  the 
surface  were  rich  in  silver,  but  soon  changed  into  the  metals, 
pyrites,  with  the  extraction  of  which  the  Mexican  miner  never 
troubles  himself.  The  succession  of  the  ore  strata  is  here,  as 
far  as  it  has  been  tried,  the  same  as  in  Dios  Padre,  in  Trinidad. 
Pure  galena  comes  first,  then  galena  and  zinc  blende,  after 
this  galena,  zinc  blende,  and  small  pockets  of  gray  silver  ore. 
Now,  judging  by  what  follows  this  in  Dios  Padre,  I  have  a 
right  to  infer  that  the  same  ore  will  follow  here  too,  viz.:  a 
rich  gray  silver  ore,  with  perhaps  a  little  zinc  blende  and 
galena.  And  if  this  really  is  the  case,  as  I  do  believe  it  is, 
then  immense  quantities  of  pure  and  rich  gray  silver  ore 
could  be  extracted  from  innumerable  veins  of  the  Iglesia  dis- 
trict. In  the  whole  district  there  is  not  a  mountain  over 
1000  feet  high,  above  the  level  of  the  Agua  Verde  Creek, 
which  divides  it  into  two  equal  parts.  This  creek  is  a  pow- 
erful stream,  with  a  good  deal  of  fall,  and  therefore  very  well 
adapted  to  the  driving  of  machinery  and  for  other  purposes. 
On  its  banks  and  on  the  hills  near  to  it  thousands  of  acres  ot 


85 

land  could  be  cultivated.  They  are  now  covered  with  an 
abundance  of  grass  or  a  magnificent  forest. 

La  Igelsia,  as  a  whole,  is  one  of  the  cosiest  spots  of  the 
Sierra  Madre,  and  a  place  on  which  at  some  future  day  a  great 
mining  town  must  spring  up.  The  scenery  all  around  the 
district  is  grand,  subHme;  one  mountain  rises  higher  than 
the  other,  and  all  trying  to  outshine  one  another  with  their 
dense  and  splendid  forests  of  pine,  oak,  etc.  The  whole  dis- 
trict of  La  Igelsia  belongs  to  the  same  ore-bearing  formation 
as  Trinidad  and  Guadaloupe.  One  vein  or  mine  of  it  I  have 
to  describe  in  particular;  it  is  that  of  "  El  Tajo."  It  is  situ- 
ated on  an  elongated  hill,  above  two  hundrecl  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  Arroyo  del  Agua  Verde,  and  but  half  a  mile  from 
its  banks.  The  vein  is  an  extensive  one,  was  from  two  to 
three  feet  wide  on  the  surface,  but  left  in  six  feet  at  a  depth 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet,  in  which  the  mine  was 
abandoned  some  twenty-five  years  ago.  Its  history  was, 
therefore,  easily  to  be  traced,  and  the  condition  in  which  it 
it  was  left  ascertained.  On  and  near  the  surface  of  the  vein 
large  quantities  of  galena  were  found,  after  which,  little  by 
little,  zinc  blende  made  its  appearance,  until  at  the  depth  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty  feet,  nothing  but  zinc  blende,  with 
now  and  then  a  small  pocket  of  gray  silver  ore  was  found. 
The  vein,  -bs  stated,  was  six  feet  wide,  and  consisted  of  pure 
ore.  Granted,  now,  that  little  by  little  the  zinc  blende  will 
disappear,  again  to  be  replaced  by  rich  gray  silver  ore.  What, 
if  such  an  event  takes  place,  will  be  the  value  of  this  mine? 
Millions  could  be  extracted  from  it  every  year,  and  incred- 
ble  as  this  may  sound,  it  is  nevertheless  probable  that  such 
should  and  would  be  the  result  if  my  theory  stands  good, 
which  it  will,  since  it  is  not  a  mere  abstract  theory,  but  one 
founded  on  a  great  number  of  estal)lished  facts.  The  future 
development  of  the  mine  will  sliow  whether  lam  in  the  right 
or  not.  The  rock  of  which  the  hill  is  composed  is  a  rather 
soft  one,  and  a  shaft  alongside  the  old  works  of  two  hundred 
feet  would  go  a  great  way  in  telling  what  is  to  come  after 
the  zinc  blende.  The  sinking  of  such  a  shaft  would  not  cost 
over  $1000. 

The  mine  of  Yerba  Buena  lies  opposite  that  of  El  Tajo, 
and  on  the  other  side  of  the  Arroyo  del  Agua  Verde.  From 
the  surface  of  its  veins  rich  silver  ores  were  extracted.  The 
saying  is  that  it  was  abandoned  on  account  of  a  large  stream 
of  water  having  been  struck,  but  I  rather  incline  to  the  be- 
lief that  the  appearance  of  zinc  blende  was  the  principal 
cause  thereof. 


86 

A  number  of  other  veins  have  been  superficially  worked, 
but  their  history  is  more  or  less  the  same  as  that  of  EI  Tajo 
mine.  All  the  mining  facilities  are  here  plentiful,  and  even 
the  agricultural  products  could  be  raised  alongside  of  the 
mines,  I  come  now  to  one  of  the  largest,  most  interesting, 
and  most  important  mining  districts  in  the  Sierra  Madre;  I 
mean  that  of  "  La  Chipioua."  Unlike  La  Iglesia,  it  is  formed 
by  groups  of  mountains,  from  4000  to  GOOD  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  sea,  but,  through  its  peculiar  topography,  never- 
theless accessible  from  all  sides.  Nay,  the  very  height  of 
the  mountains  and  their  size  will  contribute  toward  their  de- 
velopment, in  a  mining  sense  of  the  word.  Li  this  district, 
as  a  rule,  all  the  mountains  are  covered  or  capped  by  a  thick 
stratum  of  porphyry.  But  in  all  the  innumerable  gulches 
and  ravines,  the  green  stone  porphyrj',  with  its  never-failing 
iron  pyrites,  stands  out  in  immense  masses,  and  in  one  spot 
over  twenty  five  acres  of  the  vevy  gray  silver  ore  can  be 
traced  in  a  thousand  small  veins,  running  through  the  rock 
in  every  direction.  The  veins  cropping  out  through  the  sur- 
face of  the  "  caps"  cannot  be  numbered,  and  are  at  the  same 
time  the  most  extensive  ores  in  the  Sierra  Madre.  The  dis- 
trict of  La  Chipionajoinsthatof  La  Iglesia.  It  belongs,  like 
this,  to  the  ore-bearing  formation,  and  even  more  so,  as  the 
description  of  some  of  its  mines  will  show.  If  I  say  that 
more  than  a  hundred  mines  have  been  worked  here  I  do  not 
say  too  much,  since  within  six  months,  while  1  was  residing 
in  La  Oienegita  (the  most  inhabited  part  of  the  Chipioua 
mines),  I  could  not  visit  half  of  them.  Some  of  the  veins  I 
I  traced  for  five  or  six  miles,  without  coming  to  their  ter- 
minal in  any  direction.  They  all  run  from  north  to  south^  or 
near  to  it,  and  their  thickness  lies  between  two  and  ten  feet, 
but  it  increases  as  they  go  down,  and,  I  believe,  that  in  a 
depth  of  five  hundred  feet  it  will  vary  between  ten  and  fifty 
feet.  The  ores  of  all  these  veins  are,  with  the  exception  of  a 
few,  the  same  :  a  poor,  gray  silver  ore,  rich  gray  copper  ore, 
intermixed  with  iron  pyrities,  and  in  some  instances  also  with 
coppei-  [)y  rites.  To  a  dejith  of  from  twenty  to  fifty  feet  these 
ores  were  decomposed — changed  into  a  kind  of  red  or  yellow 
ocre.  They  freely  entered  into  the  smelting  as  well  as  into 
the  amalgamation  [trocess;  but  below  that  depth  the  sulphu- 
rets  made  tlieir  appearance.  Thej'  are,  without  being  well 
reverberated,  untreatable,  and  consequently  of  no  use.  But 
I  doubt  very  much  whether  this  will  be  the  process  by  which 
these  ores  can  be  treated  to  advantage,  since  lead  is  scarce 
and  expensive,  not  only  all  through  the  Sierra  Madre,  but 


87 

also  over  the  whole  of  northern  Mexico.  The  appearance  of 
these  sulphurets  there  was  the  cause  why  all  these  mines 
were  abandoned  again  soon  after  they  had  been  taken  up. 

I  shall  describe  some  of  the  most  important  ores  as  a  mere 
sample  of  the  nature  and  importance  of  the  Chipiona  district. 
As  some  of  the  most  interesting  ores,  I  have  to  i^oint  out  a 
number  of  veins  of  the  same  nature  as  that  of  El  Tajo  mine, 
in  the  Iglesia  distriet.  The  principal  one  is  La  Mina  Grande, 
called  so  from  a  vein  on  wliich  it  was  founded.  On  the  sur- 
face it  contained  large  masses  of  galena,  which,  little  by  lit- 
tle, changed  into  zinc  blende.  When  it  was  abandoned,  the 
vein  was  from  six  to  eigiit  feet  wide.  All  I  have  said  of  the 
El  Tajo  mine,  in  respect  of  what  it  might  become,  may  also 
be  applied  to  this  mine,  and  perhaps  more  so,  since  its  veins 
arc  not  only  wider,  but  also  more  favorably  situated  as  to 
working  to  advantage,  running  along  the  side  of  a  high 
mountain,  so  as  to  be  opened  by  the  driving  of  a  tunnel. 
Next  to  the  Mina  Grande  comes  that  of  Ostemuri,  an  exten- 
sive vein,  in  which  a  great  deal  of  work  has  been  carried  on. 
Here,  too,  zinc  blende  was  the  cause  of  the  abandonment. 
Provided  that  in  either  of  these  three  mines,  those  of  El 
Tajo,  La  Grande  or  Ostemuri,  the  sinking  of  a  shaft  or  the 
driving  of  a  tunnel  would  prove  that  I  am  correct  in  respect 
to  the  ores  found  below  the  zinc  blende,  what  would  these 
three  mines  be  worth,  and  what  dividends  could  a  company 
in  possession  tliereof  pay  ?  Millions  would  stand  arrayed 
against  the  small  risk  of  ^5,000.  No  further  working  capital 
would  be  required,  as  each  mine,  from  the  day  of  finding  the 
rich  ore,  would  become  at  once  not  only  self  supporting,  but 
surplus  producing.  These  three  mines  are  so  near  one 
another,  the  greatest  distance  being  but  four  leagues,  that 
their  works  could  be  easily  directed  trom  the  some  point. 

I  come  now  to  a  description  of  a  mountain  peculiarly  situ- 
ated, of  a  peculiar  shape,  and  peculiarly  interesting.  It  is 
that  of  Cerra  Colorado,  or  La  Chi[)iona  proper.  I  might  call 
it  a  mountain  peninsula,  since  on  three  sides  it  is  separated 
from  surrounding  mountains  by  deepgulches.  On  the  south 
side  it  is  connected  therewith  by  a  low  isthmus  or  small 
plateau.  From  that  isthmus  it  increases  in  height  until  its 
summit  is  1,500  feet  above  the  level  of  the  Arroyo  de  las  Bron- 
zas  washing  past  its  base.  The  cap  of  this  isolated  mountain 
is  about  three  hundred  feet  thick,  perhaps  less.  A  very  ex- 
tensive vein  (the  priiicii^al  one)  crops  out  on  its  summit, 
and,  following  the  ridge,  loses  itself  in  the  isthmus,  to  reap- 
pear on  the  mountain  coming  down  from  the  isthmus.     Over 


88 

this  second  mountain  I  have  followed  it  for  some  three  miles, 
without  finding  its  termini.  In  this  vein  a  considerable 
amount  of  work  has  been  carried  on,  and  in  some  places  to  no 
inconsiderable  depth.  All  the  ores  extracted  from  it  were 
decomposed  ores  (originally  gray  silver  ores  and  iron  pyrites). 
In  all  parts  of  the  vein  the  working  of  it  was  given  up  as  soon 
as  the  sulpharets  were  reached.  Besides  this,  a  hundred 
mines  of  the  same  nature  were  worked,  and  for  the  same 
cause  abandoned. 

Seven  years  ago,  when  I  was  for  the  last  time  in  the 
Chipiona  district,  but  one  mine  was  miserably  worked.  I 
now  come  to  the  part  of  the  mountain  above  described,  to 
to  which  I  would  call  the  special  attention  of  the  geologist 
and  miner.  It  is  this:  the  immense  base  of  it — the  circum- 
ferauce,  which  comprises  six  to  eight  miles.  Around  all  this 
base  greenstone,  porphyry  with  iron  pyrites,  stand  out  and  on 
one  side,  the  eastern,  a  thousand  small  veins  of  gray  silver 
ore  run  in  every  direction  through  the  rock,  through  the 
same  kind  of  rock  and  in  the  same  way  as  in  the  Dios  Padre 
mine  of  La  Trinidad.  Besides  this,  the  exterior  of  both 
mountains  (not  in  shape)  of  La  Chipiona  and  La  Trinidad  is 
the  same.  Why,  then,  should  we  not  infer  from  all  this  that 
the  exterior  of  the  mountain  bears  the  same  relation  to  its 
interior  as  the  exterior  of  the  Dios  Padre  mine  to  its  interior? 

Geology  would  cease  to  be  a  science,  and  would  be  of  no 
use  if  such  inferences,  based  on  so  many  facts,  could  not  be 
drawn  or  would  not  be  accepted.  I  have  so  far  described  four 
mountains,  the  heads  or  interior  of  which  must  be  considered 
as  bearing  ore,  and  of  a  similar  nature  as  that  of  the  Dios 
Padre  mine.  They  all  four  belong  to  the  same  formation, 
the  same  period  of  geological  creation,  and  have  the  same 
rocks,  ores  and  appearances  in  common.  The  most  northern 
of  these  four  mountains  is  that  of  La  Chipiona;  eight  leagues 
from  it  lies  that  of  La  Huerta  de  Yulapa;  four  leagues  from 
this  that  of  Dios  Padre,  and  seven  leagues  from  that,  the 
mountain  of  Guadaloupe  Sierra  de  la  Hierra,  some  eighteen 
leagues  from  one  extreme  to  the  other.  Founded  on  these 
facts,  since  facts  they  may  be  considered,  I  ask  the  question, 
of  what  arc  the  hearts  or  interiors  of  all  the  mountains  lying 
between  and  around  the  four  mountains  mentioned  and  de- 
scribed composed?  I  boldly  answer,  of  ore,  some  in  a  less 
and  some  in  a  higher  degree;  some  with  but  very  little  of 
it,  and  some  with  a  great  deal;  some  with  ore  of  a  poor  and 
others  of  a  richer  nature.  The  calculation  of  the  sum  total 
of  the  riches  they  may  contain  I  leave  to  some  mathema- 


89 

tician  who  delights  in  such  calculatious,  as  some  Americans 
do  in  calculating  the  population  the  United  States  will  have 
in  6000  years  from  now. 

All  the  mountains  of  which  the  district  of  La  Chipiona  is 
composed,  comprising  some  two  hundred  and  fifty  square 
miles,  are  covered  with  the  finest  forests  in  the  Sierra 
Madre. 

Oak  and  pine  abound  everywhere,  from  the  depth  of  the 
gulch  to  the  highest  peak  of  the  mountains.  Grass  is  no 
less  abundant,  since  the  whole  two  hundred  and  fift}^  miles 
form  an  almost  continuous  meadow. 

Of  water,  the  only  stream  of  any  consequence  is  the  Arroyo 
de  las  Bronzas,  a  tributary  of  the  Arroyo  de  I'Agua  Verde. 
In  the  dry  season  it  almost  dries  up,  but  there  are  a  thou- 
sand places  where  artificial  water  reservoirs  could  be  con- 
structed, and  filled  to  the  brim  in  the  rainy  season,  when 
water  falls  most  abundantly.  The  projected  Pacific  Rail- 
road touches  this  district  as  well  as  La  Iglesia  and  La 
Carita. 

Agricultural  products  for  the  maintenance  of  a  large  pop- 
ulation could  be  raised  in  the  low  lands  of  Sonora,  and  within 
the  mining  districts,  where  good  soil  abounds. 

The  distance  to  Guayamas  is  seventy  leagues.  The  Lidiaa 
village  of  Taharachi  lies  inside  the  Chipiona  district.  In  the 
east  of  the  Chipiona  district  lies  the  district  of  La  Cienegita 
Amargosa.  It  belongs  to  the  same  formation  as  all  the  rest 
of  the  Sierra  Madre  districts  so  far  described.  In  it,  too,  a 
great  number  of  veins  crop  out  on  the  surface,  some  of  them 
worked.  There  is  one  vein  I  discovered;  it  is  one  hundred 
feet  wide,  which  has  never  been  touched,  and  promises  to 
lead  into  the  interior  of  an  ore-bearing  mountain  of  great 
extent. 

The  surface  of  all  the  mountains  of  the  Amargosa  Cienegita 
district  is,  already  stated,  gold-bearing  (in  the  description  of 
the  Sonora  gold  mines).  The  mountain  described  there  as 
paying  §12  per  ton  of  decomposed  porphyry  and  iron  pj'rites 
forms  the  most  eastern  part  of  this  district.  By  all  I  know 
of  the  geology  and  raining  of  Sonora  lam  convinced  that  the 
interior  of  this  immense  mountain  is  very  rich  in  silver  ores, 
perhaps  richer  than  any  of  tlie  other  ore-bearing  mountains 
heretofore  described. 

The  Arroyos  of  Amargosa  and  Cienegita  have  their  rise 
in  this  district.  Tiiey  are  tributaries  to  the  Arroyo  del  Agua 
Verde,  and  small  but  permanent  streamlets,  of  the  best  drink- 
ing water,  are  consequently  of  much  importance  in  a  region 


90 

wlier''  most  of  the  waters  are  impregnated  with  dissolved 
mineral  substances.  The  brook  of  La  Agaargosa  is  the  ema- 
nation of  a  mineral  spring  (steel  water),  and  as  such  highly 
prized  by  the  surrounding  population. 

The  forests  of  Cienegita  Amargosa  district  being  very 
dense  and  the  mountains  above  the  elevation,  where  grass 
grows  freely,  this  article  is  scarce  in  some  parts  of  the  dis- 
trict, but  found  in  great  abundance  in  the  remaining  parts. 
Leaving  the  Cienegffca  Amargosa  district  and  taking  the  road 
for  Mulatos  one  has  to  pass  over  the  highest  ridge  in  that  part 
of  the  Sierra  Madre.  It  is,  like  all  other  high  ridges  of  the 
mountain  ranges,  composed  of  trachyte,  ilrrived  on  the 
other  side,  one  looks  down  into  a  deep  valley.  It  is  the  bed 
of  the  Rio  de  Mulatos,  the  southern  branch  of  the  Yaqui 
river,  coming  almost  from  the  plateau  of  Chihuahua.  It  is 
a  principal  stream,  and  the  day  will  come  when  it  will  be  of 
immense  value  to  mining.  On  the  banks  of  this  stream  lies 
the  mining  town  of  Mulatos,  with  some  some  1500  half 
starved  inhabitants,  although  living  on  riches  uncounted. 

The  gold  mines  of  Mulatos  were  once,  as  I  have  already 
said,  famous,  not  only  through  all  Sonora,  but  also  all 
through  Mexico.  As  a  silver  mining  district  I  cannot  say 
less  of  it,  since  all  its  mountains  showing  gold  near  the  sur- 
face will  change  into  silver-bearing  mountains  after  certain 
depths  have  been  reached.  There  is  a  vein  in  the  Mulatos 
district  the  ores  of  which  produce  the  white  copper  hereto- 
fore only  found  in  China.  What  its  components  are  I  am 
not  aware  of.  Veins  bearing  silver  ores  on  the  very  surface 
have  so  far  not  been  found.  Timber,  wood  and  grass  are 
rather  scarce  in  the  neighborhood  of  Mulatos,  and  all  pro- 
visions must  be  brought  from  the  Sahuaripa  valley.  The 
egress  and  ingress  from  and  to  the  town  are  very  difficult, 
and  since  a  direct  connection  with  the  future  Pacific  Railroad 
is  almost  imposible,  a  mountain  range  7000  feet  in  height 
lying  between  them,  I  must  say  that  the  district  of  Mulatos 
lies  under  great  disadvantage.  On  the  Eastern  side  of  the 
river  lies  the  mining  district  of  Dolores,  said  to  be  rich  in 
silver  mines;  but  since  I  never  saw  it  myself  I  pass  it,  and 
shall  continue  to  pass  all  the  mining  districts  of  which  noth- 
ing of  importance  is  to  be  said.  All  that  broad  piece  of 
country  lying  between  the  districts  of  La  Trinidad  and  Gua- 
daloupe  and  the  boundary  line  of  Chihuahua  belongs  to  the 
same  ore-bearing  formation  as  all  the  districts  of  the  Sierra 
Madre  heretofore  described. 

But  as  nowhere  veins  of  any  nature   (some  gold-bearing 


91 

veins  excepted)  crop  out  on  the  surface,  I  shall  not  consider 
it  H  bona  fide  mining  ground,  although  lying  between  the 
great  eastern  and  ".vestern  raining  districts,  the  latter  of  which 
I  have  still  to  describe.  Theoretically  speaking,  I  raust  look 
on  these  hundreds  of  square  miles  as  ore-bearing,  and  the 
future  mining  will  prove  that  I  was  entitled  to  do  so. 

The  most  interesting  and,  perhaps,  the  richest  gold  mine 
of  Sonora  exists  in  the  Sierra  Madre,  east  of  the  Sahuaripa 
river,  and  behind  t!ie  most  western  range  of  these  mountains. 
It  lies  in  the  silver  mining  district  of  La  Cienegita,  and  on 
both  sides  of  the  little  streamlet  of  La  Amagosa,  the  waters 
of  which  are  charged  with  iron  (steel  water).  This  streamlet 
divides  a  long,  wide  and  high  gold  bearing  mountain  into 
two  parts.  On  the  point  where  it  comes  out  of  it,  or  from 
between  them,  these  mountains  reach  about  2000  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  little  flat  in  front  of  them.  The  rock  which 
contains  the  gold  is  a  kind  of  decomposed  green  stone  por- 
phyry and  surcharged  with  oxide  of  iron  (decomposed  iron 
pyrites).  Take  away  a  ton  of  ore  from  these  mountains 
wherever  you  ma}',  and  you  will  find  that  it  i)ays  you  from 
flO  to  $12  dollars  a  ton  of  2000  ibs.  By  describing  the  geo- 
logical character  of  this  district  when  coming  to  the  silver 
mines  of  Sonora,  I  shall  refer  once  more  to  these  two  moun- 
tains, and  tell  my  readers  what  their  bowels  contain.  For 
the  present  I  will  add,  that  what  is  found  on  the  surface  of 
these  two  mountains  is  but  an  indication  of  what  is  sleeping 
in  their  interior.  On  different  and  exceedingly  rich  spots 
large  quantities  of  gold  were  found,  but  the  bulk  of  the  ore 
has  never  been  worked. —  llie  forer/oinr/  description  of  the  dis- 
tricts of  La  Carita,  La  Ghipiona,  La  Armigosa  and  Los  Mu- 
latos  are  from  a  report  b\j  Prof.  Julius  Miller^  an  engineer  and 
geologist. 

In  the  Moctezuma  district,  the  La  Providencia,  originally 
called  La  Palmita,  mine  is  situated  eighteen  miles  northeast 
of  Oposura.  This  mine  was  discovered  in  1803,  and  was 
worked  by  Spaniards  up  to  1811,  by  the  records.  At  this 
date  the  records  wore  destroyed,  and  it  is  unknown  when  the 
mine  was  last  worked.  The  incline  is  irregular  in  the  vein; 
depth,  100  feet;  width,  4  feet;  assay  averages  $125  per  too. 
Some  of  the  surface  croppings,  we  have  been  told,  went  as 
high  as  $806.  The  old  shafts  were  abandoned  and  filled  with 
rubbish;  the  pillars  were  extracted  by  gambucinos,  leaving 
the  mine  in  a  ruinous  condition.  The  intention  is  to  sink  a 
new  shaft  and  put  up  a  ten-stamp  mill.     A  trail  leads  to  the 


92 

mine,  hilt  no  wagon  road.  This  mine  was  rediscovered  by 
a  lliissiaii  i^entlenian,  who  brought  specimens  of  the  ore  to 
llarshaw,  in  Arizona  and  had  them  assayed,  and  there  met  a 
mining  expert  from  this  city,  who  examined  the  ore  and 
found  it  rich,  and  placed  the  mine  with  some  gentlemen  in 
this  city,  who  are  now  making  preparations  to  extensively 
open  it. 

The  San  Antonio  Mineral,  in  the  Altar  district,  possesses 
some  good  mines.  The  Descubridora  mine  is  situated  in  this 
Mineral,  and  is  owned  by  the  Sigs.  Cipriano  Ortega  and  Abe- 
lardo  Ortiz,  and  is  within  the  zone  of  twenty  leagues  of  the 
frontier  boundary  upon  the  Territory  of  Arizona.  The  mine 
is  developed  by  five  tunnels.  The  vein  runs  north  and  south, 
and  its  width  is  from  one  to  four  feet.  The  depth  reached  is 
313  metres,  with  an  inclination  of  vein  of  twenty  degrees. 
The  metals  contained  in  the  ore  are  gold,  silver  and  lead, 
and  the  ley  is  $16  in  gold  and  $82  in  silver,  and  72  per  cent, 
of  lead.  The  ore  is  reduced  by  machinery  established  in  the 
same  Mineral,  in  which  is  located  the  American  company, 
entitled  the  San  Antonio  Gold  Mining  Company.  This  mill 
puts  in  motion  two  batteries  of  five  stamps  each.  The  labor- 
ers engaged  in  the  workings  of  this  mine  vary  from  twenty 
to  thirty. 

The  mine  of  Cerro  de  Oro,  or  Hill  of  Gold,  is  in  the  Min- 
eral of  San  Antonio.  This  mine  is  owned  by  Sigs.  Cipriano 
Ortega  and  Abelardo  Ortiz,  and  is  situated  within  the  zone 
of  twenty  leagues  on  the  frontier  bounding  Arizona.  The 
workings  consist  of  two  tunnels,  the  first  41  metres  in  depth 
and  the  second  45.  The  metals  of  this  mine  assay  in  gold 
$25  and  ^56  in  silver,  and  carry  70  per  cent  of  lead.  The  ore 
is  reduced  by  the  machinery  of  San  Antonio.  The  vein  of 
this  mine  runs  east  and  west,  with  a  width  of  2 J  metres  and 
an  inclination  of  35  degrees. 

The  mine  of  Vieja  de  Oro  is  owned  by  Sigs.  Cipriano  Or- 
tega and  Abelardo  Ortiz,  in  the  zone  before-mentioned  bound- 
ing Arizona.  The  mine  is  developed  by  one  shaft  22  metres 
in  depth.  The  assay  of  the  mine  reaches  $40  per  ton  in  gold. 
The  ore  is  reduced  in  tho  mineral  above  mentioned.  The 
vein  of  the  mine  runs  east  and  west,  and  is  3  feet  in  width, 
with  an  inclination  of  50  degrees. 

The  Rebozadero  mine  is  owned  by  the  same  parties  be- 
fore-mentioned, and  is  located  near  the  other  mines.  The 
mine  has  been  developed  by  four  shafts  and  one  tunnel,  and 
reaches  in  depth  56  metres.  The  vein  runs  southeast  and 
northwest;  width  from  2  to  5  feet,  with  inclination  of  20  de- 


93 

grees,  and  assays  $15  per  ton,  gold.  The  Cobriza  is  also 
owned  by  the  same  parties,  and  is  located  near  the  others. 
The  mine  has  one  shaft,  12  metres  in  depth.  The  vein  runs 
east  and  west;  width,  1  metre;  incUnation35  degrees.  The 
assay  is  $25  per  ton,  in  gold. 

The  Rosales  mine  is  owned  by  Sigs.  Francisco,  Abel  and 
Jose  M.  del  Castillo,  and  is  located  adjoining  the  mines  before 
mentioned,  in  the  San  Antonio  Mineral.  This  mine  has  two 
shafts  and  four  drifts,  which  reach  the  centre  of  the  work- 
ings, about  180  feet.  The  vein  runs  from  south  to  north, 
and  its  width  is  from  1  to  4  feet;  inclination,  35  degrees. 
The  ores  by  arrastras  produce  in  gold  $30  per  ton,  and  is 
worked  by  four  bai-reteros,  or  miners. 

The  mine  of  Ruisena  is  located  in  the  Mineral  of  Plomosos 
and  in  the  twenty-league  belt,  northeast  of  Altar.  The  mine 
is  owned  by  Sr.  Don  Francisco  Lizarraga.  The  vein  courses 
east  and  west,  and  in  width  reaches  75  centimetres  (one 
metre  is  39.37-100  inches,  and  a  centimetre  is  about  .39-100 
of  an  inch).  The  inclination  is  40  degrees.  The  walls  are 
firm,  and  the  ores  carry  gold  and  silver.  The  workings  are 
new,  and  consist  of  one  tunnel,  reaching  the  principal  vein. 
The  depth  attained  is  75  metres,  and  one  shaft  of  9  metres, 
and  with  other  workings  make  in  all  some  327  metres.  The 
present  "  labores"  are  in  abundant  metal;  25  laborers  are 
employed  in  the  mine.  The  metals  are  reduced  in  the 
works  of  the  Mineral  of  Aribaca,  in  the  territory  of  Arizona, 
distant  from  the  mine  about  30  leagues.  The  ley  of  the 
metal  of  the  third  class  has  assayed  $801  per  ton. 

The  mine  Providencia  is  located  in  the  Mineral  of  Sonoyta. 
This  mine  is  owned  by  Sigs.  C.  Ortega  and  A.  Ortiz,  and  is 
located  within  the  20-ieagae  boundary,  northwest  of  Altar. 
This  mine  has  one  shaft  and  one  drift,  and  the  depth  reached 
is  35  metres.  The  vein  runs  south  and  north;  width,  1  me- 
tre; inclination,  35  degrees,  and  carries  in  the  ores  gold,  sil- 
ver, copper  and  lead.  The  ley  is  $8  gold,  $40  silver,  $20  in 
copper  and  $52  in  lead  per  ton.  The  ore  is  reduced  in  the 
beneficio  of  San  Antonio.     This  mine  has  ten  laborers. 

The  Rosario  mine  is  in  the  Sonoyta  Mineral,  and  is  owned 
by  the  same  parties  last  mentioned.  This  mine  has  4  shafts, 
and  depth  reached  is  50  metres.  The  vein  runs  south  and 
north;  width,  2  feet — in  some  places  1^-  varas;  inclination, 
70  degrees.  The  ore  yields  $180  per  ton  silver  and  is  reduced 
by  arastras.     The  mine  is  worked  by  five  laborers. 

The  San  Francisco  mine  is  located  in  the  Mineral  of  the 
same  name.     This  mine  is  owned  by  Don  Cipriano  Ortega, 


94 

and  is  also  located  within  the  twenty-league  belt.  The  vein 
extends  north  and  south;  width  1  to  three  feet;  inclination, 
55  degrees.  The  ley  is  ^40  per  ton  gold.  The  ore  is  reduced 
in  Frenfiont,  Arizona,  about  twelve  leagues  distant.  The 
mine  is  worked  by  four  shafts;  depth  reached  225  feet,  and 
employs  30  men. 

The  San  Francisco  mine,  in  the  Mineral  of  Corazon,  is 
owned  by  Sr.  Manuel  Escalante  and  associates,  and  is  situated 
about  25  leagues  from  the  American  line.  The  workings 
consist  of  shafts  and  drifts,  which  have  reached  240  feet  in 
depth.  The  vein  runs  south  and  north;  width,  2|  metres; 
inclination,  75  degrees,  and  assays  $20  gold  and  $56  in  silver 
per  ton.  The  ore  is  reduced  by  arastras,  and  occupies  eight 
workmen. 

The  Mina  Grande  is  located  in  the  Mineral  of  Juarez. 
This  mine  is  owned  by  Sigs.  Modesto  Borquez,  Benigno  V. 
Garcia  and  Justo  Bon.  It  is  located  about  42  leagues  from 
the  American  line.  The  vein  runs  southeast  to  northwest; 
width,  3  to  12  feet,  inclination,  35  degrees.  The  ores  contain 
gold  and  silver,  and  the  ley  is  $50  in  gold  and  $15  in  silver 
per  ton.  Tlie  arastra  is  used,  and  13  workmen  are  employed. 
The  "  labores"  are  new,  and  consist  of  shafts  and  drifts. 
The  depth  reached  is  370  feet. 

The  Juarez  mine  is  located  in  the  Mineral  of  the  same 
name.  This  mine  is  owned  by  the  Sigs.  Jesus  Castro  and 
Jose  O.  Velasco,  and  is  about  42  leagues  from  the  American 
line.  The  vein  runs  southeast  to  northwest;  width,  3  to  6 
feet;  inclination  75  degrees.  The  \ey  is  $30  per  ton  silver. 
The  workings  are  new  and  consist  of  2  shafts,  depth  170  feet. 
The  ores  are  reduced  by  arastras,  and  eight  workmen  are 
employed  in  the  mine. 

The  San  Felix  mine  is  located  in  a  Mineral  of  the  same 
name,  and  is  owned  by  Albert  Sturges  and  brothers,  and  is 
within  56  leagues  of  the  American  line.  The  course  of  the 
vein  is  north  and  south;  width,  6  feet;  inclination,  15  de- 
grees. The  assay  runs  from  $35  to  $2000  per  ton.  The  ores 
are  worked  at  reduction  works,  called  "  LasTanquas,"  about 
five  leagues  from  the  mine. — ["  Perito  de  Minas  del  Distrito 
de  Altar."] — From  an  official  report  on  the  mines  of  Sonora,  in 
the  Altar  district. 

The  Quintera  mine  is  owned  by  a  New  York  company, 
who  purchased  it  last  September  from  Mexicans.  The  prin- 
cipal owners  are  Messrs.  McFarland  and  Morgan,  of  New 
York.     The  mine  cost  $210,000— $25,000  in  cash,  one  half 


95 

the  balance  in  six  months  and  remainder  in  one  year.  The 
property  is  said  to  be  a  good  one.  A  15  stamp  mill  is  now- 
reducing  the  ore,  that  has  reached  as  high  as  ^1000  per  ton. 

The  Santa  Juliana  Mining  Co.  of  New  York,  lately  organ- 
ized, have  purchased  the  Santa  Juliana  and  Mina  del  Padre 
silver  mines.  These  mines  are  located  in  the  municipality  of 
Baroyeca,  district  of  Alamos,  about  65  miles  from  the  city  of 
Alamos,  and  24  miles  from  the  Yaqui  river.  The  Santa  Juli- 
ana is  an  old  mine,  formerly  worked  by  the  Spaniards  and 
lately  by  the  Mexicans.  The  old  works  are  the  Trojas,  Dios 
Padre,  San  Francisco,  San  Juan,  Santa  Loreto,  San  Benito, 
Santa  Rosa,  Troueou  Nuevo,  Milagres,  Congojas,  San  Ignacio, 
Salsipuedes  and  many  others.  The  ores  are  docile  and  con- 
tain ruby-silver  and  sub-sulphides.  The  old  pillars  assay  from 
$100  to  $107  per  ton.  The  Santa  Juliana  proper  has  a  gen- 
eral E.  14  degrees  N.  course,  with  a  dip  of  45  degrees  N.  Its 
width  varies  from  five  to  fifteen  feet  with  walls  firm  and  well 
encased.  The  gangue  is  principally  quartz.  It  shows  all  the 
phenomena  constituting  a  true  vein,  as  far  as  explored  from 
the  surface  to  a  depth  of  700  feet,  and  in  all  the  lateral  works. 

The  Befugio  mines  are  situated  25  miles  easf  of  Hermos- 
illo,  and  about  25  miles  from  the  Sonora  railroad,  95  miles 
from  Guaymas,  on  the  Gulf  of  California.  The  mines  are  con- 
nected with  Guaymas  by  the  Sonora  railroad.  These  mines 
were  discovered  by  some  prominent  merchants  of  the  district 
about  a  year  ago  and  were  purchased  from  them  by  the  Refu- 
gio Mining  Company  of  Santa  Fe,  N.M.  The  mines  are  situated 
on  the  Las  Norias  ranch,  adjoining  the  celebrated  San  Juan  de 
Dios  mine,  abundantly  supplied  with  timber  of  good  quality, 
and  water  sufiicient  for  all  milling  and  smelting  purposes. 
The  property  is  about  2700  feet  long  b}^  700  feet  wide.  The 
vein  strikes  apparently  N.  E.  and  S.  W.,  and  dips  nearly  ver- 
tically, although  as  no  walls  have,  as  yet,  been  encountered, 
actual  data  cannot  be  given.  However,  at  the  point  where 
work  has  been  done,  the  ore  body  has  been  proved  to  exceed 
7  feet  in  width  without  meeting  with  the  wall  rock,  indicating 
at  any  rate  an  enormous  body  of  mineral.  The  surrounding 
country  rock  is  composed  of  limestone  and  porphyry. 

The  mineral  is  carbonate  of  lead,  carrying  a  considerable 
amount  of  silver.  Numerous  assays  of  tlie  value  have  been 
made,  varying  from  35  to  75  per  cent,  of  lead,  and  from  40  to 
300  ounces  of  silver,  also  from  $10  to  $45  in  gold.  In  the 
adjoining  San  Juan  de  Dios  mine  there  exists  an  ore  body 
of  about  6  feet  wide,  reaching  $1,850  per  ton,  also  10  feet  of 
solid  mineral  at  the  end  of  the  tunnel,  none  of  which  has  a 
value  of  less  thaai  150  ounces  of  silver. 


96 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  ore  is  essentially  a  smelting 
ore,  and  one  that  is  perhaps  more  easily  reduced  than  any  the 
miner  has  to  deal  with.  All  necessary  works  for  Pineltinoj  the 
ore  are  now  in  course  of  construction  within  1^  miles  of  the 
mine. 

From  the  reports  of  W.  A.  Jones,  on  the  Jesus  Maria  mines 
on  January  1st,  1881 : — "  The  mine  is  situated  on  one  of  the 
tributaries  of  the  Mayo  river,  40  miles  northeast  of  Alamos, 
state  of  Sonora.  The  mine  has  a  length  of  2600  feet,  by  600 
feet  in  width,  well  defined  ledge,  and  is  enclosed  between  lime- 
stone and  porphyry,  the  latter  being  the  hanging  wall.  The 
ore-bearing  material  has  a  width  of  about  100  feet,  samples  of 
which  assayed  according  to  report  from  $15^^/0  to  $19yVo  psr 
ton.  Notwithstanding  the  low  grade  of  the  samples,  from  the 
nature  and  the  great  extent  of  the  body  of  the  ore,  it  is  a  prop- 
erty well  worthy  of  development,  with  every  promise  of  open- 
ing up  into  a  large  and  valuable  njine." 

"  The  principal  mine  of  the  Plomo  Mineral  of  the  Altar  dis- 
trict is  the  Ruisena  gold  mine  and  its  continuation.  This 
mine  is  located  four  miles  from  the  village  of  El  Plomo,  and 
some  45  miles  N.  W.  of  Altar.  The  vein  is  a  fissure  with  the 
hanging  and  foot  wall  of  granite.  Width  of  vein  3  to  3^  feet 
at  a  depth  of  270  feet.  The  old  workings  cover  an  extent  of 
over  3000  feet  underground,  with  surface  workings  extending 
over  5000  feet.  The  ores  carry  sulphurets  of  iron  and  copper 
and  are  refractory,  with  an  average  result  of  about  $100  per  ton. 
This  mine  has  been  worked  for  the  last  fifty  years.  The  re- 
duction works  are  located  about  four  miles  distant  at  El 
Plomo,  and  consist  of  a  ten  stamp  mill,  concentrators,  and  two 
water  jacket  furnaces.  The  refining  works  have  a  capacity  of 
20  tons  per  day. 

This  property  is  worked  in  connection  with  a  large  lead 
mine  called  "  Abundancia,"  located  near  the  works,  the  vein 
of  which  averages  4:^  feet.  The  lead  ores  carry  near  50  per 
cent,  lead  and  20  oz.  silver,  and  about  one  oz.  in  gold. 

The  property  is  owned  by  a  companj^^  incorporated  in  Chi- 
cago in  June,  1882,  the  majority  interests  being  held  b}^  Chi- 
cago capitalists.  Mr.  J.  Sherman  Hall  is  the  Secretary  of  the 
company.-' — [Report  by  Mr.  D.  Tooker,  M.  E.] 

About  two  miles  from  the  Ruisena  mine,  a  very  rich  pocket 
of  gold  was  discovered  some  20  years  ago  that  yielded  nearly 
a  quarter  of  a  million  of  dollars,  all  taken  out  in  about  three 
weeks.  Some  further  prospecting  has  been  done  but  this  is 
the  principal  strike  of  this  region. 

The    "Sonora   Chief"   mine   is  located  in  the  Carbonera 


97 

mountains  on  the  east  side  of  San  Miguel  river,  about  9  miles 
north  of  San  Miguel,  Carbonera  Mineral,  Ures  district.  The 
vein  is  a  contact  vein,  formation,  porphyry  hanging  wall  and 
lime  foot  wall,  width  of  vein  7  to  10  feet  at  a  depth  of  140 
feet.  The  ores  cany  carbonate  of  lead  and  oxide  of  iron,  and 
is  a  free  smelting  ore,  carrying  about  40  per  cent,  lead  and 
from  80  to  100  oz.  of  silver  per  ton.  The  intention  of  the 
present  operators  is  to  ship  the  ore  over  Sonora  railway  direct 
to  San  Francisco,  or  Benson  Reduction  works. 

The  Jesus  Maria  mine  is  located  at  a  point  near  Carbo 
station  some  seven  miles  distant,  and  is  a  large  deposit  of  car- 
bonate of  lead  and  iron,  lying  nearly  flat,  which  is  developed 
by  several  open  cuts  and  shafts,  showing  ore  from  4  to  20  feet 
in  thickness.  The  ores  carry  about  30  per  cent,  lead  and  40 
oz.  of  silver  per  ton.  The  ore  will  be  shipped  to  Benson  if 
reasonable  rates  can  be  secured. 

The  "Santa  Felicita"  mine  is  situated  about  24  miles  north- 
west from  the  city  of  Altar,  and  about  8  miles  north  of  the 
town  of  Caborca,  in  the  Altar  mining  district.  The  vein  is  a 
true  fissure ;  width,  from  5  to  18  feet,  at  a  depth  of  320  feet. 
The  ore  is  a  free-milling  gold,  carrying  $30  to  $80  per  ton  in 
gold,  and  from  TO  to  80  ounces  in  silver.  The  ore  body  is 
decomposed  quartz,  with  hanging  wall  granite,  and  foot  wall 
porphyry.  This  property  has  been  worked  from  10  to  12 
years.  The  "  Santa  Felicita  Mining  and  Milling  Co.,"  of 
Ohicago,  own  and  work  the  property,  reducing  the  ore  by  a 
20  stamp  mill.  This  mine  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  most  valu- 
able in  northwestern  Sonora. 

The  Bonanea  gold  mine  is  located  about  three  miles  east  of 
the  Santa  Felicita,  and  has  a  vein  of  ore  from  two  to  five  feet 
wide,  of  the  same  character  and  about  the  same  value  as  that 
of  the  Santa  Felicita.  This  mine  also  belongs  to  the  same 
company. 

The  above-named  company  are  being  amply  remunerated 
for  their  investment.  Dr.  Davis,  of  Chicago,  the  Secretary, 
from  whom  we  obtained  tlie  above  data,  says  the  net  profits 
upon  the  working  of  the  property  reaches  from  $24,000  to 
$30,000  per  month,  and  that  the  company  is  so  well  satisfied 
with  their  investment  that  they  refuse  to  allow  its  stock  to  be 
quoted  on  the  market,  or  the  property  to  be  sold. 

In  speaking  of  the  old  mines  of  Sonora,  Francisco  Velasco 
says  that  the  old  Spaniards  generally  confined  themselves  to 
the  high  grade  ores,  and  when  they  were  no  longer  in  abun- 
dance they  abandoned  the  mine,  which  then  became  choked 
or  filled  with  water.     "  Windlasses  or  pulleys  at  that  time 


98 


were  almost  unknown;  and  where  the  mine  could  not  be 
kept  free  of  water  by  buckets,  it  was  abandoned."  All  of 
which  plainly  indicates  that  old  mines,  as  a  rule,  had  better 
be  very  closely  examined  before  any  extensive  outlay  is 
entered  upon;  and  since  tlie  mineral  wealth  of  Sonora  is 
almost  unlimited,  a  good,  new  mine,  with  paying  ore,  or 
an  old  mine  with  present  evidence  of  its  richness,  is  better 
than  abandoned  or  exliausted  mines  with  a  past  reputation 
of  almost  fabulous  wealth.  When  a  mine  has  produced  Us 
millions^  generally  there  is  not  much  paying  ore  left  to  warrant 
an  extensive  reopening. 

The  Santa  Clara  Coal  Fields  of  Sonora. 

"  These  coal  fields  are  situated  in  the  district  of  Ures,  Jur- 
isdiction of  San  Javier,  and  Mineral  or  mining  district  of  La 
Barranca,  about  100  miles  due  east  from  Hermosillo,  and 
about  120  miles  north-east  from  the  port  of  Guaymas,  four 
miles  east  from  the  Barranca  mine,  about  12  miles  east 
of  the  town  of  San  Javier,  and  about  three  and  a  half  miles 
west  of  the  Yaqui  River. 

"These  coal  beds  were  first  denounced  by  William  Lub- 
bert,  Napoleon  Grafl",  Thomas  Mahan,  Frank  Ench,  and  An- 
tonio Cubillos,  on  the  26th  day  of  April,  1872.  At  the 
present  date  the  property  is  owned  exclusively  by  IsT.  Graff, 
Florence  R.  Rountree,  A.  Cubillos,  and  F.  Ench.  The  title 
of  the  above  property  vests  in  said  parties,  and  is  free  from 
all  incumbrances  up  to  Jan.  1st,  1881,  when,  at  that  date, 
the  property  was  bonded  to  Charles  A.  McQuesten,  of  this 
city.  The  property  is  held  by  the  above-named  parties  as 
an  association. 

"  The  property  consists  of  extensive  deposits  of  anthracite 
coal,"  with  some  appearances  of  being  partly  bituminous, 
which  indicates  that  there  must  be  extensive  coal  beds  of 
both  anthracite  and  bituminous  coal.  "  The  coal  beds  de- 
nounced are  contained  in  one  square  league  of  land.  Up  to 
the  present  date  two  well-defined  veins  of  coal  have  been 
exposed. 

"  The  first  consists  of  a  vein  nine  feet  six  inches  thick,  that 
lias  been  developed  by  explorations  and  examinations  on 
the  side  of  a  mountain. 

"  In  some  places,  the  vein  is  within  about  from  one  to  four 
ffeet  from  the  surface.  This  vein  can  be  traced  for  about 
1,000  feet  horizontally,  and  about  500  feet  above  the  base  of 
the    mountain,  and    extending  toward  the  summit  of   the 


99 


mountain.  One  extensive  tunnel  has  been  run  on  this  vein, 
following  its  dip.  No  explorations  have  been  m.ide  above 
the  point  above  mentioned;  l)nt  indications  show  that  this 
vein  has  a  much  larger  ar  a.  The  incline  of  the  vein  is 
20  degrees  S.  S.  E.,  the  dip  east  by  north-east.  At  a  dis- 
tance of  2:2  feet  below  the  point  of  location  of  the  above- 
mentioned  vein  is  another  vein  of  about  seven  feet  in 
thickness.  This  vein  is  reached  by  a  shaft  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  creek,  on  the  side  of  the  mountain  op|)Osite.  On 
the  side  of  the  mountain,  several  excavations  have  deter- 
mined the  thickness  of  the  vein.  At  the  foot  of  this  mount- 
ain is  a  canon  about  100  yards  wide,  on  the  opposite  side  of 
which  rises  a  high  and  rugged  mountain.  This  canon  is 
about  six  miles  long,  commencing  at  the  Taramari  mine  and 
ending  near  the  laqui  River.  The  coal  veins  are  about 
one-half  the  distance  between  these  points,  or  about  two 
and  one-half  miles  from  the  Yaqui  River  bottoms. 

"The  bed  of  this  cafion  can  be  made  into  a  good  wagon 
road  with  little  work,  from  the  coal  veins  to  the  river. 
Water  is  found  in  the  canon  at  a  depth  of  eight  feet.  In 
many  places  in  this  canon,  slate  and  many  indications  of  coal 
are  found.  The  geological  formation  of  the  vicinity  and  the 
character  of  the  coal  is  as  follows:  The  mountain  rauges  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  coal  are  very  rugged,  with 
steep  sides,  covered  with  trees,  cactus  plants,  and  other  trop- 
ical vegetation.  The  average  elevation  of  the  range  of 
mountains  is  about  3,000  feet  above  the  sea  level. 

"The  range  of  mountains  is  continuous  for  over  100  miles 
running  north,  and  about  twenty  south,  of  the  location  of  the 
coal  beds.  They  form  the  mountains  bordering  on  both  sides 
of  the  valley  of  the  Yaqui  River.  Placers  of  gold  that  have 
yielded  very  richly,  are  located  near  the  valley  of  the  Yaqui, 
one  man  having  in  a  single  season  extracted  $30,000  from 
this  same  canon  where  the  coal  beds  are  located.  The 
Yaqui  River  is  about  three-and-a-half  miles  from  the  present 
workings  of  the  mine;  and  the  coal  mine  is  very  easy  of 
access  by  a  road  to  be  constructed  through  the  caiion,  up  a 
gentle  incline.  At  present  there  is  no  road  for  wagons. 
Horses  and  mules  are  therefore  used  to  reach  the  mines. 
With  very  little  work  a  wagon-road  could  be  constructed,  or 
oven  a  railroad,  direct  to  the  river's  bank.  For  a  distance 
of  about  ninety  miles  from  the  mouth,  the  Yaqui  River  is 
navigable  for  barges  or  flat  boats;  and  at  this  point  rocks 
and  rapids  impede  a  further  passage,  except  fqr  small  boats, 
which  are  carried  around  the  rapids  by  "carriers,"  at  the 


100 


mouth  of  the  cauou  opposite  the  coal  fields.  The  river  at 
this  point  is  about  200  feet  wide  and  four  feet  deep,  during 
the  dry  season;  but  during  the  rainy  season  a  considerable 
increase  in  the  volume  of  water  takes  place.  Engineers 
state  that  the  river  can  be  made  navigable  for  barges  from 
the  point  opposite  the  canon  before  mentioned,  to  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  a  distance,  by  following  the  course  of  the  river, 
of  about  120  miles.  The  Yaqui  River  lands,  for  a  distance 
of  100  miles  above  its  mouth,  are  noted  for  the  richness  of 
the  soil,  and  the  large  crops,  "  as  before  mentioned."  "A  rail- 
road can  easily  be  built  from  the  mine  to  the  river,  and  fol- 
lowing near  the  different  windings  of  the  river  north,  to 
enter  the  United  States  near  Tombstone,  where  a  market  can 
be  found  for  a  large  quantity  of  coal  for  milling  purposes, 
and  also  for  smelting  furnaces,  used  to  smelt  the  rich  argent- 
iferous and  galena  ores  that  abound  in  that  region;  and  also 
through  northern  and  middle  Sonora,  where  hundreds  of 
mines  containing  smelting-ore  require  a  coal  suitable  for 
smelting  purposes;  or  south,  through  the  rich  valley  of  the 
Yaqui  River  bottom,  where  millions  of  acres  of  the  finest 
land  in  the  world  are  awaiting  the  emigrant  to  cultivate  its 
soil;  and  on  to  the  port  of  Guaymas,  where  a  market  can  be 
found  for  a  large  amount  of  coal  for  steamers  that  regularly 
ply  from  San  Francisco  and  that  port,  and  for  vessels  of  war 
of  England,  United  States,  and  other  nations,  that  regularly 
touch  at  Guaymas. 

"  From  Guaymas,  barges  can  ply  between  that  port  and 
Mazatlan,  or  Cape  St.  Lucas,  in  Lower  California,  where  a 
depot  of  coal  could  readily  find  a  sale  in  supplying  ocean 
steamers  that  ply  between  China,  Japan,  Australia,  Pa- 
nama and  San  Francisco,  with  a  prospect  in  the  near  future 
of  supplying  coal  to  tlae  fleets  of  steamers  that  will  ply 
through  the  Isthmus  of  Panama  Canal.  Barges  could  also 
take  the  coal  direct  from  the  Yaqui,  up  the  gulf,  to  the  Col- 
orado River,  to  Yuma;  there  supplying  the  steamers  on  that 
river,  the  several  railroads  that  pass  over  this  river,  and 
the  mills  on  and  near  this  river,  where  steamers  now  go  up 
a  distance  of  about  200  miles  from  Yuma.  Vessels  could 
also  transport  this  coal  direct  from  the  Yaqui  to  San  Fran- 
cisco, where  a  ready  demand  for  anthracite  coal  will  result 
in  large  sales,  as  at  present  all  anthracite  coal  used  in  San 
Francisco  comes  from  Pennsylvania."  (Extract  from  the 
report  of  Charles  A.  McQuesten,  of  this  city,  on  the 
Santa  Clara  coal  fields  of  Sonora.)  "We  might  add  that  the 
Mexican  Congress  has  lately  approved  of  the  concession  to 


101 


Mr.  Robert  R.  Sjmon  for  the  construction  of  a  railroad  from 
the  above  coal  fields  to  El  Morrito,  on  the  Bay  of  Guay- 
mas.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  this  coal  will  soon  be  on  the 
market. 

Quicksilver,    Graphite,    Marble,    Copper,    Lead,    Goal, 

Iron,  Etc. 

The  ores  of  the  mines  of  Santa  Teresa  and  Santa  Ana 
contain  quicksilver,  and  tradition  says  that  the  mineral  re- 
gion of  Rio  Chico  also  produces  tliis  metal. 

In  San  Jose'  de  la  Pi  mas  there  is  a  small  hill  entirely  com- 
posed of  graphite  or  black  lead. 

In  San  Javier  is  a  vein  of  a  dark  color  on  the  face  of  a 
hill,  from  which  is  extracted  a  compact  substance  which, 
when  dissolved  in  water,  produces  a  fine  ink,  which  is  sim- 
ilar to  India  ink,  from  China. 

In  Oposura,  there  is  a  hill  composed  of  excellent  marble, 
of  which  the  altars  and  churches  of  Sonora  are  built. 

At  Ures,  there  is  also  another  marble  quarry. 

The  celebrated  hill  of  "La  Campana, "  in  the  city  of  Her- 
mosillo,  is  composed  entirely  of  marble  as  white  as  that  of 
Italy,  and  it  is  used,  in  some  instances,  to  pave  the  streets. 
Alabaster  and  jasper  are  found  also  at  Oposura  and  Ures. 
Copper  is  found  in  the  mountain  range  of  La  Cananea,  north 
of  Arispe. 

Aduaua,  (an  old  region  of  gold  miues)  Tonuco,  36  miles 
west  of  Hermosillo,  and  Bacuachi  and  La  Cobriza,  west  of 
Horcasitas,  all  contain  copper  ores. 

Lead  abounds  in  Cieneguilla  and  Arispe,  Batuco,  Sau 
Jos6  de  Gracia,  Aduana,  and  Promontorio. 

Agua  Caliente  and  Alamo  Muerto  contain  lead,  although 
it  is  found  in  the  greatest  quantities  at  Cieneguilla  and 
Arispe. 

Coal  is  found  near  Los  Bronces  and  La  Baranca,  be- 
fore mentioned,  where  a  vein  of  from  seven  to  nine  feet  is 
found. 

Iron  is  found  in  abundance  in  the  southern  part  of  Ari- 
zona, in  the  range  of  mountains  called  Madera,  and  in  the 
northern  part  of  Sonora,  and  at  Mogollon. 

In  the  neighborhood  of  Cucurpe  there  is  a  vein  of  in- 
combustible crystal. 


SINALOA. 


CHAPTER  I. 

General  Description. 

From  the  river  Mayo  to  Alamos,  in  Sonora,  the  country 
is  an  extension  of  rolling  hills,  and  from  thence  down  to  the 
coast  and  the  valley  of  the  river  Fuerte,  bordering  Sinaloa. 
Here  the  "  tierra  caliente  "  plain  is  encountered  that  ex- 
tends all  the  way  down  the  coast,  through  the  whole  length 
of  the  State  of  Sinaloa.  The  town  of  Fuerte  is  located  on 
the  river  Fuerte,  about  80  miles  from  the  mouth.  The 
river  is  navigable  for  flat-boats  up  to  this  point.  An  exten- 
sive valley  below  Alamos  extends  almost  due  south,  between 
the  mountains  on  the  east  and  the  low  range  of  hills  on  the 
west,  until  it  opens  into  the  valley  of  the  Fuerte  and  the 
plains  located  south.  The  Fuerte  River  is  about  200  miles 
long,  and  rises  north-east  in  the  Sierra  Madre,  and  flows 
south-west  into  the  Gulf  of  California.  The  next  river  en- 
countered is  the  Sinaloa,  which  rises  in  the  neighborhood  of 
the  south-western  part  of  Chihuahua,  and  flows  in  a  south- 
westerly coarse,  describing  a  section  of  a  circle  through 
placers  of  gold  situated  east  of  the  town  of  ."-^inaloa,  about 
25  miles.  Here  the  river  winds  in  a  curve  to  the  east  and 
again  to  the  west,  within  a  space  of  about  eight  miles, 
then  continues  its  course,  passing  the  town  of  Sinaloa,  situ- 
ated on  its  banks,  and  flows  south-west  into  the  gulf.  A 
small  peninsula  completely  hides  its  mouth  from  the  open 
waters  of  the  gulf.  Another  peninsula  juts  out  in  an  oppo- 
site direction,  forming  a  very  good  harbor  for  small  vessels. 
The  river  is  about  180  miles  in  length.  The  Mocorito  Ar- 
royo or  creek  is  next  crossed,  and  another  small  stream, 
until  the  river  of  Culiacan  is  reached,  which  i-ises  in  the 
western  part  of  Durango,  near  Tamasula,  and  flows  south- 
west into  the  gulf,  the  mouth  of  which  is  also  hidden 
behind  an  island,  forming  a  very  good  roadstead,  called  the 

102 


103 

Puerto  de  Altata.  The  city  of  Culiacan  is  located  on  the 
banks  of  this  river,  opposite  the  point  where  the  Rio  de 
Hamaya  empties  into  the  Culiacan  River,  This  river  is 
about  150  miles  long,  and  on  each  side  of  it  spurs  of  the 
Sierra  Madre  jut  out  into  the  plain  within  about  30  miles  of 
the  coast;  the  valley  of  Culiacan  being  at  this  point  15 
miles  wide.  The  Rio  de  San  Lorenzo  is  next  reached,  that 
flows  south-west  direct  into  the  gulf.  The  great  mining  dis- 
trict of  Cosala  lies  south-east  of  this  river,  near  its  source; 
the  town  of  Cosala  being  about  10  miles  south  from  its 
banks.  This  river  runs  through  a  valley  of  narrow  width, 
the  whole  distance,  until  it  reaches  the  plains  beyond. 

A  valley  branches  from  the  valley  of  San  Lorenzo  up  to 
Cosala,  with  a  gentle  incline,  when  it  again  commences  to 
slope  on  the  other  side  down  a  valley  or  cauon  to  the  Elota 
River.  This  river  also  rises  in  the  western  part  of  Durango, 
and  flows  south-west  into  the  gulf.  This  river  is  about  110 
miles  long,  and  has  numerous  branches.  In  the  neighbor- 
hood of  its  branches,  in  its  canons  and  ravines,  and  on  the 
slopes  of  the  mountains  adjacent,  are  some  of  the  most  cele- 
brated mines  of  gold  and  silver  in  the  state.  The  Rio  de 
Piastla  also  rises  in  Durango,  in  its  western  part,  near  the 
celebrated  mines  of  San  Dimas,  and  flows  south-west,  pass- 
ing San  Ignacio,  and  empties  into  the  gulf.  The  valley  of 
Piastla  is  also  very  narrow;  but  some  exceedingly  fertile 
lands  are  found  in  its  bottoms,  as  in  many  other  portions  of 
the  state. 

Another  small  arroyo  is  reached,  and  we  enter  into  the 
thickly-settled  region  adjacent  to  the  city  of  Mazatlan.  The 
port  of  Mazatlan  is  located  on  the  coast,  about  half-way  be- 
tween the  mouth  of  the  arroyo  last  mentioned  and  the  river 
of  Mazatlan.  This  river  also  rises  in  the  canons  of  Durango, 
about  20  miles  across  the  boi-der  line  of  the  state  of  Sina- 
loa,  and  beyond  the  mines  of  Ventauas,  and  flows  south-west 
about  50  miles,  and  then  takes  a  course  almost  due  south, 
and  empties  into  the  gulf,  or  rather  Pacific  Ocean;  the 
mouth  of  the  Gulf  of  California  being  now  reached.  The 
point  where  the  river  discharges  itself  into  the  sea  is  about 
15  miles  below  Mazatlan  City.  The  Rosario  River  also  rises 
across  the  border  line  of  the  state,  in  Durango,  and  flows 
south-west,  into  the  ocean,  passing  El  Rosario,  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  which  are  located  some  very  rich  mines.  Above 
the  mouth  of  this  river,  and  lying  in  from  the  coast,  is 
located  the  lagoon  or  lake  of  El  Caimanero,  which  is  about 
12  miles  long,  and  about  4  miles  in  width  at  its  widest 
point. 


104 

The  Rio  de  las  Canas,  at  the  southern  border  of  the  State, 
separating  Sinaloa  from  Jalisco,  flows  in  the  same  direction 
as  the  Rosario  River,  and  empties  into  the  bay  or  lagoon  of 
Boca  de  Tecopan,  a  narrow  inlet  of  the  sea  which  winds 
into  the  plain  about  live  miles,  and  then  spreads  north  in  a 
narrow  body  of  water  about  ten  miles,  and  south  about 
thirty-five  miles,  into  an  extensive  body  of  water  in  the 
southern  part.  It  is  said  it  may  be  made  one  of  the  finest 
harbors  in  the  world,  and  would  contain  all  the  fleets  of  the 
globe.  With  such  a  harbor  as  this  at  Mazatlan  the  most  power- 
ful city  of  the  Pacific  Coast  would  spring  up  upon  its  shores. 
This  harbor  is  located  about  fifty  miles  below  Mazatlan. 
The  Tierra  Caliente  plain,  before  referred  to,  is  about  300 
miles  long,  and  intersected  by  the  rivers  and  streams  before 
mentioned;  and  at  its  widest  part  is  about  forty  miles  in 
width,  with  extensive  valleys  branching  up  the  banks  of  the 
rivers,  some  of  which  are  100  miles  in  length — the  valley  of 
the  Fuerte  being  the  largest.  The  foot-hills  of  the  mount- 
ains are  covered  with  timber,  such  as  cedar,  and  the  varie- 
ties of  oak.  The  State  of  Sinaloa  extends  over  an  area  of 
nearly  3,600  square  miles,  and  has  a  population  of  about 
200,000.  The  surface  of  the  plains  of  the  coast  is  low  and 
somewhat  sandy,  though  the  soil  is  very  fertile.  Its  pro- 
ductions are  similar  to  Sonora,  though  to  a  less  extent. 
Dye-woods  abound  on  the  coast  and  toward  the  Sierra  Madre, 
and  on  the  eastern  frontier  there  abound  extensive  forests 
of  pine  and  cedar  covering  the  mountain  sides  adjacent  to 
the  streams.  The  rivers  flowing  into  the  gulf  are  used  to 
irrigate  adjacent  land  during  the  dry  season.  The  state  is 
divided  into  nine  districts,  viz.,  Mazatlan,  Rosario,  Concor- 
dia, Cosala,  San  Ignacio,  Mocorito,  Fuerte,  Sinaloa,  and 
Culiacan.  The  state  is  bounded  on  the  north  and  north- 
west by  Sonora;  and  north  and  north-east  by  Chihuahua; 
and  east  by  Durango;  and  south-east  by  Jalisco;  on  the 
south-west  by  the  mouth  of  the  Gulf  of  California.  The  north 
and  north-eastern  portion  is  very  mountainous,  while  it  is 
more  level  on  the  coast,  which  is  drained,  as  well  as  the 
mountains  adjacent  in  the  north-east,  by  the  rivers  before 
named.  The  interior  contains  mines  of  considerable  extent, 
some  of  which  are  very  rich,  to  which  we  will  give  some  at- 
tention hereafter.  The  interior  valleys  are  very  fertile,  espe- 
cially the  valley  of  Piastla,  on  the  Piastla  River,  and  the 
valley  of  Rosario,  about  twenty  miles  south-east  of  Mazatlan. 
There  are  about  100  towns  in  the  state,  and  out  of  the  latter, 
Mazatlan,  Culiacan,  Cosala,  Rosario,  Fuerte,  and  Sinaloa,  are 


105 

the  most  prominent.  The  first  town  reached  of  any  import- 
ance is  the  town  of  El  Fnerte. 

The  situation  of  the  town  is  charming,  being  on  the  south 
bank  of  the  Fuerte  River.  This  river  is  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  wide,  and  passes  along  the  foot  of  a  plateau  that 
is  elevated  about  90  feet  above  its  bed.  There  is  a  fair 
view  both  up  and  down  the  river,  from  this  plateau.  The 
town  of  Fuerte  has  about  1,000  inhabitants,  and  should  be 
the  principal  inland  town  of  the  State. 

There  is  no  commerce  at  Fuerte,  from  the  fact  that  its 
advantageous  natural  position  is  no  protection  from  the 
competition  of  Alamos  on  the  north  and  Mazatlau  on  the 
south.  The  valley  in  which  tlie  town  is  located  is  one  ttiat 
might  be  one  of  the  most  fertile  in  the  State  and  can  be 
easily  irrigated  from  the  river,  and  will  raise  corn,  wheat, 
sugar-cane,  cotton,  and  the  various  cereals,  but  the  inhab- 
itants prefer  to  use  this  magnificent  valley  for  grazing  i)Ur- 
poses,  and  raise  chiefly  stock.  The  mules  raised  here  have 
the  reputation  of  being  the  best  in  the  State.  The  road 
from  Fuerte  is  of  the  same  character  to  Mazatlan,  passing 
through  Mocorita  and  Sinaloa. 

The  principal  family  at  Fuerte  are  the  descendants  of  A. 
Ybarra. 

Ward,  in  his  celebrated  work  on  "  Mexico,"  says  of 
Fuerte: 

"  The  situation  is  not  particularly  favorable,  as,  notwith- 
standing the  vicinity  of  the  river,  the  country  about  the 
town  is  unproductive,  and  the  heat  in  summer  intolerable. 

"The  Tierra  Caliente  of  Sinaloa  extends  from  El  Fuerte, 
or  rather  from  Alamos,  to  the  confines  of  Guadalajara 
(Jalisco).  It  is  one  vast,  sandy  plain,  destitute  of  vegeta- 
tion, except  in  the  rainy  season,  or  in  spots  where  the  vi- 
cinity of  the  mountains  or  the  confluence  of  two  large 
streams  insure  a  constant  supply  of  water, 

"•This  is  the  case  at  Culiacan,  the  most  ancient  and  popu- 
lous town  in  Sinaloa,  situated  upon  a  river  of  the  same  name, 
80  leagues  south  of  El  Fuerte,  It  contains  11,000  inhab- 
itants, and  the  countrj'  about  it  is  well  watered  and  highly 
productive." 

Of  Cosala,  he  says:  "Cosala,  35  leagues  south  of  Culi- 
acan, is  the  next  town  of  any  note  on  the  road  to  Jalisco.  It 
derives  its  importance  entirely  from  its  mines,  one  of  which, 
called  jST uestra  Seuora  do  Guadalupe,  is  very  celebrated,  Gua- 
dalupe is  free  from  water,  and  situated  at  a  considerable  ele- 
vation above  the  plain.     It  contains  a  vein  of  gold  of  consid- 


106 


erable  breadth,  and  its  produce  might  be  increased  to  ten 
times  its  present  amount,  etc." 

From  Cosala  to  the  capital  or  City  of  Mexico,  or  the  Cen- 
tral States  of  the  Republic,  there  are  two  routes,  the  one  by 
Rosario,  the  Caiias  and  Guadalajara,  vvhicli  is  impassable 
during  the  rainy  season,  and  the  other  due  east  from  Cosala 
across  the  Sierra  Madre  to  Durango.  The  distance  from 
Alamos  to  Fuerte  is  35  miles.  This  place  was  originally 
a  military  station,  but  the  military  are  now  removed  to 
Mazatlan. 

The  town  of  Siualoa  is  located  on  the  river  of  the  same 
name,  and  has  about  1,500  to  2,000  inhabitants.  The  prin- 
cipal business  of  this  place  is  in  the  production  of  Indian 
cjrn,  pork,  and  lard,  which  is  exported.  The  principal  busi- 
ness men  are  Francisco  T.  Penua  and  K.  iTunez,  who  are 
in  both  the  wholesale  and  retail  trade,  and  H.  Carubbio. 
The  town  of  Sinaloa  is  located  on  a  small  river,  and  in  the 
winter  or  dry  season  it  dwindles  to  a  very  small  stream.  The 
seasons  are  reversed  in  the  State.  They  have  their  dry 
season  while  we  have  our  wet,  and  the  reverse.  The  district 
around  is  fertile,  and  produces  the  usual  agricultural  pro- 
ductions, though  the  principal   trade  is  as  we  have  stated. 

The  town  has  but  one  street.  The  ladies  of  this  town  are 
celebrated  for  their  beauty  in  the  whole  State,  as  those  of 
Hermosillo  are  famous  in  Sonora. 

Roads  of  the  State. 

A  stage  runs  from  Guaymas  to  Alamos  over  the  old  road, 
which  runs  east  back  of  the  bay,  or  north  of  the  inlet  form- 
ed by  the  mouth  of  the  Yaqui  River,  crossing  the  small 
stream  of  San  Jose,  and  the  river  Matape  which  flows  into 
the  gulf;  thence  to  Torin  on  the  banks  of  the  Yaqui  River, 
a  distance  of  about  80  miles.  The  river  is  here  crossed  by 
a  ferry  in  wet  seasons,  and  forded  in  dry  seasons,  to  Bocam, 
and  thence  north,  following  the  course  of  the  Yaqui,  to  Co- 
cori,  about  20  miles;  thence  to  El  Baihoea  and  south  to  Co- 
raque,  due  east  of  Bocam,  and  distant  in  a  straight  line  only 
about  15  miles.  This  short  cut  can  be  taken  and  save  about 
35  miles  of  useless  travel.  From  Coraque  the  road  runs 
south-east  to  Camoa  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Mayo  River, 
which  is  here  crossed  at  a  distance  of  about  35  miles  from 
Coraque;  thence  to  Alamos,  about  12  miles.  From  Alamos 
to  El  Fuerte  the  distance  is  about  35  miles,  where  the 
Fuerte  River  is  crossed;  thence  almost  due  south  to  Sinaloa, 


107 


about  60  miles;  thence  across  the  Sinaloa  River  and  on  to 
the  Mocorito  River  and  the  small  town  of  Mocorito;  thence 
south-east  through  Pahnas  to  La  Morita;  and  thence  taking  a 
more  southerly  course  to  Culiacan  across  the  Culiacan  River, 
distant  from  tSinaloa  about  85  or  90  miles.  Here  two  routes 
are  i>resented  to  Mazatlan,  one  by  way  of  Cosala,'  which  takes 
a  south-east  course  through  the  small  towns  and  ranchos  of 
Las  Arayanes,  LasFlechas,  El  Vichi, Las  Milpas,  Santa  Anita, 
and  Casa  Blauca  on  the  small  stream  ot"  San  Lorenzo;  thence 
crossing  the  stream  east  to  Las  Vegas,  Carriscal,  Iliguiera, 
and  Cosala,  a  distance  of  about  60  miles;  thence  south,  pass- 
ing Calafanta,  Conitaca,  Salado,  crossing  a  small  branch  of 
the  Elota  River;  thence  to  Laguna  and  Elota,  about  40  miles 
from  Cosala.  The  other  route  from  Culiacan  runs  south  to 
Aguarita  and  El  Carriscal,  El  Salado,  and  San  Lorenzo  on  the 
river  of  that  name.  The  river  is  here  crossed  and  a  south- 
east course  taken  to  Avaya,  Vinapa,  Iliguerita,  and  thence 
€ast  to  Elota  on  the  Elota  River.  The  former  route  is  the 
most  traveled,  though  longer,  as  it  passes  through  the  rich 
mining  region  of  Cosala.  The  latter  route  is  over  a  stretch 
of  about  80  miles,  while  the  former  is  about  100  miles. 
From  Eiota  the  road  is  direct  to  Mazatlan,  distant  about  55 
miles  south-east,  crossing  the  Elota  River,  and  Piastla  River 
at  Piastla;  thence  to  Cojotitan,  Quebrachi,  Quclite,  Coraa- 
oho,  Aval,  Los  Otates,  and  Mazatlan.  From  Mazatlan  a  road 
runs  south-east  to  the  Presidio  of  Mazatlan,  and  east  to  El 
Rosario  on  the  Rosario  River;  thence  south-east  into  the 
state  of  Jalisco  to  Guadalajara  and  on  to  the  capital  of  Mex- 
ico. 

The  road  from  Fuerte  to  Mazatlan  and  Rosario  is  a  good 
one,  to  which  we  have  referred  already,  and  is  used  for  wag- 
ons and  a  stage  line  constantly  during  the  dry  season,  but  it 
is  impassable  during  the  wet  season  on  account  of  the  lack 
of  the  bridges  over  rivers  that  are  swollen  to  a  dangerous 
doptli  and  swiftness,  and  the  roads  being  of  clay  and  sand 
become  boggy.  Another  road,  or  rather  mule  trail,  leads 
from  Mazatlan  through  San  Sebastian  east  and  then  north, 
passing  many  ranchos  on  the  Mazatlan  River,  to  Morito  and 
east,  where  the  river  Mazatlan  is  crossed  twice  on  account  of 
a  bend  in  the  river,  and  on  up  the  Mazatlan  Valley  into  Du- 
rango;  passing  Favor  in  Sinaloa  and  Saulito  in  Durango, 
and  other  towns  up  the  caiion  to  the  mines  of  San  Antonio 
<le  las  Ventauas,  and  the  celebrated  mines  of  Guarisamay, 
and  from  thence  on  to  Durango,  about  150  miles  distant  from 
Mazatlan. 


108 

CHAPTER    II. 
Mazatlan. 

The  coast  adjacent  to  Mazatlau,  with  its  mountain  peaks 
in  the  backgrouucl,  presents  a  grand  and  imposing  scenery; 
and  during  the  rainy  season,  when  the  valleys,  hills  and 
mountains  are  covered  with  verdure,  it  is  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  spots  on  the  coast.  The  small  sugar-loaf  mountains 
rise  frequently,  near  and  in  the  distance,  presenting  a  variety 
of  scenery  to  the  eye  that  is  very  pleasing,  and  to  lovers  of 
scenery,  it  is  delightful. 

The  port  of  Mazatlan  is  not  capacious,  nor  surrounded  by 
those  safe  landmarks  characteristic  of  many  of  the  ports  on 
the  Pacific  Coast.  For  fear  of  the  southerly  or  south-west 
winds,  no  vessels  can  be  anchored  long  in  the  harbor,  as  the 
land  is  low  adjacent,  and  on  the  south-west  mostly  open  to 
the  ocean.  For  this  reason,  vessels  only  stop  long  enough 
to  unload,  and  proceed  on  their  waj-.  The  inner  harbor  is 
far  from  admitting  heavy  merchant-vessels  like  the  clipper 
ships  arriving  in  the  port  of  San  Francisco.  The  approach 
is  safe,  however,  for  ocean  steamers  to  approach  and  retreat 
when  touching  at  this  port.  Larger  ships  anchor  under  the 
lee  of  the  island  of  Creston,  which  is  rather  small,  but  much 
elevated.  In  this  harbor  there  are  two  other  islands,  called 
Venado  and  Pajoros.  The  dangers  to  vessels  during  the 
stormy  season  detract  much  from  the  commercial  position 
and  advantages  of  Mazatlan;  and,  for  that  reason,  Guaymas, 
in  Sonora,  will  be  the  principal  port  for  the  vessels  passing 
up  the  Gulf  of  California. 

The  city  of  Mazatlan  is  nearl}^  surrounded  by  water,  a 
mere  tongue  connecting  it  to  the  mainland.  Near  the 
water's  edge,  and  back  half  a  mile,  the  surface  of  the  site  is 
even,  and  also  to  the  limits  of  the  city,  from  the  fort  on  the 
west,  for  more  than  a  mile  eastward;  yet,  farther  back,  it  is 
uneven  and  ungraded.  The  fort  commanding  the  inner  har- 
bor to  the  city  is  located  on  the  side  of  an  elevated  [)lateau, 
near  1,500  feet  above  the  sea.  On  its  summit,  one  may  en- 
joy the  beautiful  scenery  spread  out  before  him — a  pano- 
rama of  mountains,  low  undulating  hills,  and  valleys.  In 
this  fort  are  planted  some  antiquated  cannon,  commanding 
the  city  and  harbor.  Tlje  streets  are  not  laid  out  regularly. 
One  main  street  runs  from  the  water  front  out  into  the 
country  beyond,  on  which  are  located  both  retail  and  whole- 
sale business  houses.     Some  are  also  situated  on  the  streets  of 


109 

the  water  front.  The  whole  number  of  shops  and  stores 
reach  as  many  as  500.  The  buildiu2:s  are  mostly  constructed 
of  soft  brick,  one  foot  square,  and,  in  some  instances,  there 
are  stone  buildings.  Adobe  houses  are  mostly  occupied  by 
the  poorer  classes  in  the  suburbs.  Most  of  the  buildings 
are  one-story;  yet,  in  some  few  instances,  the  houses  built 
by  foreigners  are  two  stories  high.  The  houses  are  con- 
structed roughly,  and  plastered  inside  and  out,  and  after- 
wards penciled.  The  roofs  and  floors  are  made  of  brick. 
For  the  floor,  the  ground  is  raised,  and  surface  leveled,  and 
bricks  laid  in  cement,  which  makes  the  floors  both  durable 
and  cool  in  the  summer.  When  the  floors  are  carpeted, 
wool  or  common  cotton  is  laid  down  first,  then  the  carpet. 
Among  the  poorer  classes,  no  carpet  is  used,  but  a  native 
mat.  Heavy  joists  and  close  together  are  laid  across  the 
walls  of  the  building  for  the  roof,  and  on  these  a  tight  floor 
of  boards  is  laid,  and  on  this  the  bricks  are  laid,  one  foot  in 
thickness,  cemented  completelj-  water-tight.  The  walls  are 
commonly  three  feet  thick,  making  each  house  a  complete 
fortress,  and,  withal,  very  cool  in  the  summer  season. 

The  style  of  architecture  is  a  mixture  of  the  Moorish  and 
Gothic.  The  doors  are  cluitisy  and  large,  generally  fast- 
ened inside  by  wooden  bars.  The  windows  have  mostly 
iron  gratings  of  three  quarters  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  and 
sometimes  shutters,  making  the  city  look  like  a  city  of  pris- 
ons. The  inside  walls  are  frequently  papered,  and  the 
houses  well  and  even  elegantly  furnished. 

Most  of  the  goods  sold  hero  are  imported  directly  from 
Europe,  and  German  houses  seem  rather  to  take  the  lead  in 
commercial  pursuits  throughout  the  country.  There  are 
about  100  foreigners  in  the  city,  mostly  engaged  in  com- 
mercial pursuits,  and  they  are  said  to  own  most  of  the  real 
estate  in  the  city. 

Gold,  silver,  and  copper,  and  dye-woods  are  shipped  from 
this  point  in  large  quantities.  Many  shii>loads  are  packed  in 
from  the  interior  on  the  backs  of  mules.  "Burros,"  or 
she-asses,  are  used,  to  some  extent,  to  pack  mortar,  bricks, 
lumber,  etc.;  but  freight  wagons  and  carts  are  also  used, 
drawn  by  mules. 

The  streets  are  mostly  paved  with  round  cobble-stones, 
and  in  a  concave  form,  so  that  the  water  drains  oft'  in  the 
center.  These  stones  are  laid  in  cement,  and  become  quite 
firm,  so  that  they  are  not  easily  misplaced,  except  during 
the  rainy  season.  The  sidewalks  are  narrow,  some  made  of 
hewn  timbers,  and  laid  so  that  two  persons  can  walk  side  by 


110 

side.  Others  are  constructed  of  soft  burnt  bricks  and  flag- 
stone. On  any  of  them,  but  two  persons  can  walk  side  bj 
side. 

The  government  buildings,  such  as  the  custom  houses, 
forts,  and  arsenals,  are  well  constructed,  airy,  and  remarka- 
bly adapted  to  the  torrid  zone.  These,  as  well  as  private 
buildings,  have  a  species  of  rain  spouts,  which,  in  the  rainy 
season,  scarcely  extend  the  dripping  waters  from  the  side- 
walks. There  is  one  church  in  Mazatlan.  The  composite 
architecture  of  beautiful  constructions  of  arches  and  pillars, 
give  some  of  the  buildings  quite  an  imposing  appearance. 
There  are  two  principal  hotels,  kept  by  Frenchmen,  who 
charge  about  $2.00  per  day.  Inside  the  court-yards,  flower- 
ing shrubs,  rare  bushes,  the  hyacinth,  and  the  trailing  vine 
are  frequently  seen.  The  delicate  and  refined  taste  of  the 
ladies  of  Mazatlan  is  well  known  in  the  republic,  and  their 
beauty  rivals  the  maids  of  Hermosillo.  A  public  plaza  is 
tastefully  laid  out,  with  seats  on  the  sides  of  the  square, 
made  of  brick,  having  brick  sides,  and  painted  red,  with 
brick  walks  through  the  center,  coinciding  with  either  point 
of  the  compass,  and  with  a  circular  brick  walk  inside  the 
seats  around  the  whole  circuit  of  the  plaza;  and  to  enhance 
the  beauty  of  this,  every  15  feet  orange  trees  are  set  on  the 
inside  edge  of  this  circular  walk,  which  truly  adds  beauty 
to  the  whole  scene.  A  beautiful  fountain  of  crystal  water 
plays  day  and  night. 

The  marketing  is  done  principally'  on  Sunday  morning  on 
the  market  square,  where  purchases  are  made  from  the 
country  people  for  the  week.  Indian  corn,  beans,  Irish  po- 
tatoes, sweet  potatoes,  eggs,  red  peppers,  bananas,  plantains, 
oranges,  limes,  several  species  of  custard  apples,  squashes, 
pumpkins,  watermelons,  muskmelons,  chickens,  turkeys, 
and  a  variety  of  gallinaceous  birds,  such  as  the  '4ioco"  or 
•'curassow"  and  pheasants;  also,  crockery  ware,  chairs,  and 
other  articles  are  not  unfrequently  exhibited  for  sale.  After 
the  sales  are  ended,  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  city,  the  bal- 
ance are  bought  by  local  hucksters  at  a  reduced  price.  A 
theater  is  in  the  city,  where  the  beauty  and  elite  gather  to 
listen  to  Spanish  plays  of  love  and  tragedy. 

Mazatlan  is  now  a  commanding  commercial  city  of  rapid- 
ly growing  importance  to  Lower  California,  southern  So- 
nora.  Chihuahua,  Durango,  and  northern  Jalisco,  and  the 
state  of  Sinaloa. 

Vast  regions  of  agricultural,  grazing  and  mineral  lands 
are  adjacent,  untouched,  that  await  development  by  foreign 


Ill 

capital  and  industry.  Most  of  the  trade  of  all  this  regioD 
passes  through  Mazatlau. 

This  city  has  but  few  equals  for  its  surrounding  advantages, 
and  invites  to  her  municipal  confines  an  intelligent  class  of 
immigrants,  who  will  develop  her  latent  energies  and  re- 
sources. 

Sailing-vessels  go  leisurely  up  the  gulf,  carrying  the  pro- 
ductions of  the  south,  though  the  greater  part  of  the  carry- 
ing is  now  done  by  steamers.  The  principal  freight  is  su- 
gar, coffee,  rice  and  tobacco,  with  foreign  and  domestic  mer- 
chandise. These  are  exchanged  for  flour,  fruits,  gold  and 
silver,  copper,  pearls,  salt,  hides,  and  tallow.  Fome  consid- 
erable sugar,  cotton,  rice,  corn,  beans,  etc.,  and  tropical 
fruits  are  produced  in  the  rear  of  Mazatlan,  in  the  Mazatlau 
Valley,  which  is  45  miles  wide  in  its  widest  part,  nearly  one 
hundred  miles  in  length,  and  well  watered  by  the  Mazatlau 
River. 

Land  can  be  cultivated  three  miles  on  each  side  of  the 
river,  on  the  river  bottom  lands.  There  are  about  17,000 
inhabitants  in  the  town.  The  river,  which  empties  into  the 
sea,  is  100  yards  wide  in  rainy  seasons,  and  is  navigable  for 
large  barges,  for  five  months,  some  distance  up  the  river. 
The  stage  crosses  in  barges.  The  country  east  of  Mazatlan 
is  mostly  level  to  the  base  of  the  mountains,  diversified  by 
rolling  ground.  There  is  one  large  cotton  factory  in  the  city, 
which  manufactures  the  cotton  raised  in  the  vicinity,  into 
goods  that  are  purchased  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  region 
surrounding.  This  is  a  great  cotton  country,  and  timber  is 
plentiful. 

Coal  has  been  found  seventy-five  miles  from  the  city  with 
a  vein  cropping  out  three  feet  in  width,  something  like  an- 
thracite. An  interior  valley,  of  30  to  40  miles  in  width,  at 
the  widest  point,  lies  be3'ond  the  Sierra  Madre,  east  of  the 
city,  40  miles  from  the  river  Mazatlan.  Rich  mines  have 
been  found  near  Cosala.  Grazing  is  carried  on  extensively. 
The  city  commands  the  trade  and  supplies  the  wants  of  the 
country  people  and  the  inland  towns  within  two-thirds  of  a 
circle  from  200  to  1,000  miles  in  the  interior. 

Rich  merchants  come  in  from  the  country  with  pack- 
trains,  who  have  extensive  haciendas,  gold  cr  silver  mines, 
or  who  are  exclusively  engaged  in  commercial  pursuits. 
The  roads,  or  rather  trails,  through  the  mountain  districts  are 
notvery  good;  and  the  rivers,  in  the  rainy  season,  being  mostly 
without  bridges,  present  serious  obstacles  during  that  season 
for  travel  in  the  interior.     The  rainy  season  commonly  in- 


112 

eludes  the  months  of  June,  July,  August,  September,  and  a 
part  of  October;  and  during  most  of  this  time  it  rains  a  Uttle 
neaiil}'  every  day.  Most  of  the  flour  used  in  Alazatlan,  Tepic, 
and  Cohraa,  and  the  ports  of  San  Bias  and  Manzanillo,  is  ex- 
ported from  Guaymas,  in  Sonora.  The  flour  is  nearly  as  white, 
possessing  the  same  quahties,  as  California  flour.  From 
Mazatlan  to  the  mouth  of  the  Kio  Grande,  in  Texas,  near 
that  i)oint  it  is  nearly  six  hundred  miles;  and  a  railroad  from 
this  city  to  the  mouth  of  that  river  is  practicable,  and  can 
be  made  b^^  passing  over  a  distance  of  1,000  miles.  To 
Loredo,  in  Tamaulipas,  on  the  Rio  Grande,  it  is  not  much 
more;  the  latter  point  being  the  point  of  connection  with  an 
eastern  road  running  from  the  City  of  Mexico,  almost  due 
north.  A  better  route,  however,  might  pass  Guadalajara, 
and  connect  with  that  road  south  of  Loredo.  The  City  of 
Mazatlan  will  be  unquestionably  a  powerful  rival  of  Sau 
Francisco.  On  the  low  hmd  there  is  not  much  cultivation 
on  a  level  with  the  sea. 

The  hacienda  or  rancho  Tamaulipas  of  Piastla,  on  the  road 
to  Culiacan,  contains  about  30,000  acres,  and  is  situated  on 
the  Piastla  River,  about  seven  miles  from  the  coast,  the  whole 
of  which  can  be  cultivated,  and  is  easily  irrigated  from  the 
river.  The  stream,  during  the  wet  season,  is  navigable  as  far 
as  the  rancho.  This  rancho  is  owned  by  the  Laveagas,  but 
is  not  for  sale.  There  are  small  ranchos,  however,  in  the 
vicinity  for  sale.  There  are  al^o  very  fertile  lands  near  the 
Rio  de  Rosario,  twenty  miles  south-east  from  Mazatlan. 
On  this  river,  and  throughout  the  country,  land  is  cheap. 
Haciendas  of  one,  two,  and  three  leagues  in  extent,  can  be 
purchased  for  one,  two,  three  and  four  thousand  dollars. 

Corn  sells  from  60  cents  to  $1  per  bushel;  beans,  $9  per 
carga;  oranges  and  limes  $10  per  thousand  ;  sweet  potatoes, 
6  to  10  cents  per  lb. ;  beef,  pork,  and  mutton,  from  6  to  10 
cents  per  lb.  Poultry  and  eggs  are  high.  Butter  is  sent 
here  from  Guaymas,  but  it  is  of  a  whitish  color,  and  almost 
tasteless.  The  cheese  is  no  better.  Lower  California  fur- 
nishes large  quantities  of  this  cheese  for  the  market  of  Ma- 
zatlan. An  industrious  American  might  settle  in  the  vicinity 
of  Mazatlan,  and  following  most  any  pursuit,  such  as  garden- 
ing, keeping  a  dairy,  or  even  agriculture,  he  could  accumu- 
late a  snug  fortune,  and  in  a  short  time  retire  from  business, 
living  in  comparative  ease  and  affluence. 

The  principal  business  houses  are:  Rogers  &  Marshall, 
Juan  Cristobal  Farber,  Edward  Coffey,  Budwig  &  Rasch, 
Isaac  V.  Coppall,  Charpentier,  Reynard  &  Co.,  Pena  &  Co., 


113 

Bartning  Hermanos  y  Cia,  Canuobio  Hermanos,  Diaz  de 
Leon  Hermanos,  J.  Kellj  y  Cia,  Echeguren  y  Hijos  y  Sobri- 
nos,  James  Hermanos,  Fedcrico  Koerdell  y  Cia,  J.  De  la 
Quintana,  Jenus  Escobar,  Joaquin  Redo,  Haas  y  Aguiar, 
Tepia  y  Ceballos,  Gonzales  Hermanos,  Vicente  Ferreira  y 
Cia,  Charpentier,  Raynaud  y  Cia,  Dubagan  y  Cia,  Melcbers 
Successores,  Felton  Hermanos,  and  Juan  Somelleriay  Cia. 

Tbe  iraplemierits  used  in  husbandry  are  of  the  most 
primitive  character  in  some  portions  of  the  state.  The 
plow  consists  of  two  poles,  one  six  feet  long,  and  the  other 
fifteen  feet,  fastened  together  by  the  means  of  a  mortice  and 
tenon,  at  an  angle  of  sixty*five  degrees.  Througli,  and 
near  the  end  of  the  short  pole,  there  is  a  pin  to  steady  the 
plow;  and  on  its  end  there  is  attached  a  pointed  iron  or  steel 
shoe  to  prevent  it  from  readily  wearing  out.  The  yoke  has 
no  bows,  but  is  fastened  on  the  heads  of  the  cattle  b}-  means 
of  raw-hide  thongs,  and  so  is  the  tongue  of  the  [)low  to  the 
yoke.  With  this  rude  instrument  the  ground  is  merely 
scratched  over  about  three  inches  in  depth,  and  yet  the  soil 
yields  marvelously.  The  scythe,  the  cradle  or  the  sickle, 
even,  are  unknown  in  some  places,  with  the  hoe,  or  any 
other  common  implement  of  husbandry.  Reapers  and 
threshing  machines  are  not  even  dreamed  of  in  some  iso- 
lated instances  ;  but  they  have  been  introduced  in  many  of 
the  states  of  the  republic.  Here  is  a  rare  chance  for  our 
agricultural  implement  manufacturers  almost  at  their  doors. 

About  one-twelfth  of  the  population  of  Mazatlan  is  white, 
and  can  trace  their  origin  back  to  their  Spanish  ancestors. 
Many  blondes  are  seen  who  are  direct  descendants  of  the  old 
Castilians.  In  this  city  there  are  several  wealthy  merchants, 
of  ditferent  nations,  who  import  goods  largely  from  Europe, 
many  of  which  we  have  mentioned  already.  There  are  also 
Mexican  capitalists  who  have  extensive  ranchos  and  hacien- 
das in  the  country,  even  one  hifndred  miles  back  in  the  in- 
terior, and  pass  a  part  of  their  time  in  town.  English  and 
•German  goods  seem  to  be  most  used,  and  generally  in  de- 
mand; also  French  brandies  and  wines;  but  few  articles  man- 
ufactured in  the  United  States  are  shipped  into  any  of  the 
Mexican  ports  on  the  Pacific,  although  an  extensive  trade 
with  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and  Boston  is  springing  up 
by  vessels  and  is  landed  at  the  ports  on  the  eastern  coast  or 
Oulf  of  Mexico.  Ou  the  completion  of  the  Texas  and  Pacific 
8 


114 

and  other  railroads  connecting  with  the  east,  a  large  trade 
will  be  established  with  the  large  eastern  cities  of  the  United 
States. 

The  principal  business  houses  are  engaged  in  both  a  whole- 
sale and  retail  trade,  dividing  their  stores  into  two  depart- 
ments. The  principal  buildings  are  the  custom-house,  a  new 
church,  municipalidad  or  city  hall,  containing  court-rooms, 
etc. ;  Cuartel  de  Artilleria  or  barracks  for  the  military,  a 
cotton  factory,  gas  works,  and  the  hotels  "  Iturbide  "  and 
"Nacional." 

Some  trade  has  been  carried  on  with  San  Francisco;  in 
fact,  much  more  than  is  suspected  by  many  of  our  merchants. 
Two  iron  foundries  are  located  here  that  have  considerable 
trade. 

Rosario. 

The  town  has  6,000  inhabitants  and  takes  its  name  from 
the  Rosario  mines  in  the  vicinity.  These  mines  are  some  of 
the  oldest  in  the  republic,  and  have  produced  an  immense 
treasure  for  the  owners.  The  shafts  are  now  full  of  water. 
The  Tajo  mine  by  its  richness  is  a  great  source  of  wealth  to 
the  town.  This  town  is  a  place  of  considerable  importance, 
and  at  one  time  was  the  depot  of  merchandise  of  Mazatlan. 
The  merchants  resorted  to  it  to  purchase  their  stock  of  goods 
and  dispose  of  produce.  It  was  the  residence  of  the  Com- 
missary General  of  the  state,  and  others  high  in  official  au- 
thority. The  streets  are  narrow  but  well  paved,  and  the 
houses  built  principally  of  stone.  The  town  is  located  in  a 
ravine,  and  much  confined.  The  Rosario  River,  a  small 
stream,  runs  below  the  town  and  empties  into  the  Pacific  a 
few  miles  further  below.  This  stream  is  navigable  for 
canoes  from  Rosario,  by  which  people  frequently  go  to  Ma- 
zatlan, the  distance  by  water  being  shorter.  This  town  has 
considerable  trade  with  Durango  and  some  from  Guadalajara. 
The  distance  to  Mazatlan  is  20  leagues  or  60  miles,  the  Pre- 
sidio of  Mazatlan  being  a  kind  of  half-way  house  or  posta. 
The  jjlace  is  simply  a  large  square  surrounded  by  merchants' 
houses.  The  distance  to  Mazatlan  Presidio  is  about  30 
miles.  In  the  northern  part  of  the  state  the  road  from  Ala- 
mos in  Sonora  runs  over  a  level  jtlain  when  it  leaves  the  roll- 
ing hills,  and  requires  no  repairing,  as  the  soil  is  made  of 
sandy  clay,  almost  without  a  pebble,  and  is  perfectly  even 
and  smooth.  The  surface  is  level  and  excellent  for  coaches. 
The  distance  from  Alamos  to  Fuerte  is  about  35  miles. 


I 


115 

Culiacan. 

The  capital  of  the  state  of  Sinaloa,  Culiacan,  is  situated 
on  a  river  of  the  same  name,  in  the  midst  of  a  beautiful 
and  rich  agricultural  country.  The  population  of  tlie  citv 
is  about  10,000;  its  streets,  with  a  great  plaza,  are  laid  out 
regularly,  and  it  possesses  much  inland  trade.  The  archi- 
tecture and  buildings  are  much  the  same  as  at  Mazatlan. 

The  state  government  is  located  here,  and  during  the  ses- 
sion of  the  legislature,  it  presents  a  more  lively  ap[)earance. 
The  distance  from  Mazatlan  is  about  155  miles,  and  the 
intervening  distance  between,  over  the  route  by  Cosala,  is 
rough  and  mountainous,  with  but  few  rauchos  on  the  line  of 
travel.  Cotton,  sugar-cane,  corn,  beans,  and  rice,  and  vege- 
tables of  various  kinds,  and  fruits  common  to  this  climate 
and  a  low  latitude,  are  grown  in  great  abundance  in  the 
vicinity.  There  are  also  some  mines  in  the  neighborhood. 
Coftee  is  also  raised  in  the  state,  and  brings  from  30  to  40 
cents  per  pound.  The  importation  of  cotfee  has  at  times 
been  forbidden,  in  order  to  develop  this  industry  in  the 
state. 

There  is  a  cotton  factory  in  Culiacan,  owned  by  Redo, 
who  resides  in  the  same  town,  and  is  one  of  the  principal 
capitalists.  A  stage  road  runs  from  Alamos,  in  Sonora,  to 
Mazatlan — a  five  days'  trip — also  to  Culiacan,  as  before 
stated. 

There  is  also  a  mint  in  Culiacan.  The  principal  business 
houses  are,  Redo,  Valadez,  O.  Salmon,  Robert  R.  Symou 
&  Co.,  and  Angel  Urrea.  Considerable  business  is  trans- 
acted here.  The  road,  after  leaving  Alamos,  which  is 
mountainous,  or  a  rolling  region,  becomes  almost  level  as  it 
goes  south  to  Fuerte,  and  passes  down  the  interior  about  60 
miles  from  the  coast, through  the  same  level  country, to  Mazat- 
lan. It  also  passes  down  a  valley  in  the  interior,  beyond  the 
mountains  east  of  the  former  road,  to  Culiacan,  over  a  very 
level  road. 

The  Presidio  of  Mazatlan  is  located  on  the  road  to  Ro- 
sario,  and  was  formerly  the  principal  place  of  residence  for 
the  merchants  and  custom  house  officers,  who  removed  to 
Mazatlan,  and  left  it  almost  deserted,  with  the  exception 
of  a  large  cotton  factory  which  is  there,  owned  by  Eche- 
guren  &  Co.,  of  Mazatlan;  and  besides  the  operatives,  the 
town  has  but  few  inhabitants. 

The  ladies  of  Culiacan  are  truly  celebrated  for  their  fair 
complexion,  graceful  forms,  and  modest  demeanor.     They 


116 

are  very  fond  of  music  and  dancing,  and  pluy  very  skillfully 
on  the  liarp,  and  are,  withal,  as  intelligent  and  captivating 
as  any  of  the  famous  beauties  of  the  republic.  On  the  road 
to  Caliacau  from  Fuerte  are  situated  Sinaloa,  and  Mocorito, 
and  La  Muerito. 

Cosala. 

The  town  of  Cosala  is  situated  about  60  miles  from  Culi- 
acaii,  to  the  south-east,  and  nearly  100  miles  from  Mazatlan. 
The  town  extends  over  nearly  as  much  ground  as  the  latter; 
but  it  is  more  interspersed  with  flower-gardens  and  small 
orchards.  The  town  is  well  built;  but  the  streets  are  some- 
what irregular.  The  number  of  inhabitants  reaches  5,000. 
Cosala  is  a  mining  district.  Within  about  20  miles  of  the 
town,  is  located  the  Guadalupe  mine,  which  is  perfectly  dry, 
and  at  a  good  elevation  from  the  plain. 

The  mines  of  Copala,  Panucho,  San  Dimas,  and  San  Igna- 
cio  are  the  principal  ones  located  in  the  vicinity.  The 
Saragossa  mine  is  situated  north-east  from  Mazatlan  and 
north  of  Cosala.  This  mine  is  celebrated  for  its  beautiful 
specimens  of  virgin  silver. 

In  this  town,  a  peculiar  disease  that  is  attributed  to  the 
water  used  exists,  and  is  called  "  buche,"  and  is  known 
with  us  as  goitre,  or  swelled  neck.  One  traveler  describes 
its  unfortunate  inhabitants  as  looking  like  pelicans. 

From  Cosala  to  foot  of  mountains,  the  distance  is  15 
miles  due  east.  Santa  Ana,  a  small  raucho,  and  some 
others,  are  located  on  the  road.  There  are  some  six  mines 
near,  bearing  silver  and  magistral,  and  about  one  and  a  half 
miles  from  the  town,  the  celebrated  Golconda  gold  mine. 

The  principal  business  of  the  state  is  mining,  grazing,  and 
the  raising  of  herds  of  cattle,  horses,  mules,  sheep,  etc.,  al- 
though the  agricultural  productions  are  considerable.  The 
mines  of  the  state  produce  a  large  revenue.  The  Xocihuis- 
tita  mine,  situated  nearRosario,  was  bonded  for  three  months 
at  $60,000,  and  the  parties  who  had  bonded  it  refused  to 
renew  the  bond.  In  a  short  time  afterward  the  owners  sold 
a  one-half  interest  for  $500,000  to  American  capitalists  of 
San  Francisco,  who  are  now  taking  out  from  $50,000  to 
$60,000  per  month.  Some  ladies  at  Mazatlan  were  the 
owners.  Estacata  is  another  old  mine  near  Cosala  that  was 
once  extremely  rich.  Tradition  says  that  its  owners  were 
so  rich  and  realized  such  fortunes  from  its  possession  that 
they  used  to  lay  down  silver  bricks  for  their  ladies  to  tread 


117 

upon  on  their  way  to  church,  and  then  take  them  up  again  by 
their  servants — a  piece  of  extravagant  gallantry  somewhat  un- 
heard of,  even  among  the  descendants  of  the  Moctczumas. 
Some  of  the  mines  of  Mexico  are  worked  in  what  we  would 
term  an  extravagant  manner.  The  shafts  in  some  instances 
are  walled  with  timbers  that  are  placed  there  for  their  im- 
perishable qualities,  and  often  the  wood  selected  is  of  the 
most  valuable  character,  and  being  the  nearest  at  hand  is  used 
with  a  prodigal  liaud.  One  old  mine,  we  are  told  by  a  gen- 
tleman who  explored  it,  to  wdiich  he  gave  the  name  of  the  old 
San  Jos^  mine,  was  literally  lined  with  ebony.  He  showed 
us  a  piece  of  this  wood  which  he  extracted  from  the  mine, 
and  had  made  into  a  rough  cane.  The  timbers  were  as 
sound  almost  as  when  they  were  placed  in  the  mine,  and 
were  laid  one  upon  the  other  along  the  walls  of  the  shaft,  and 
some  15  to  20  feet  in  length.  The  origin  of  the  mine  was 
unknown,  and  the  mouth  of  the  shaft  had  fallen  in,  covering 
it  up  entirely  until  another  drift  from  a  mine  near  it  in  search 
of  a  vein  of  ore  was  run  until  they  came  to  the  ebony  walls 
of  the  shaft  of  the  old  mine.  It  was  cleaned  out — rubbish, 
etc.,  removed — and  found  to  be  very  rich.  The  ebony  alone 
would  be  worth  a  small  fortune  in  this  country.  The  haci- 
enda of  La  Labor,  owned  by  the  Laveagas,  is  situated  about 
four  miles  from  San  Ignacio  and  contains  40,000  acres,  about 
one-third  of  which  can  be  cultivated.  Sugar-cane,  wheat, 
corn,  and  other  productions  have  been  raised  upon  its  arable 
lands.  It  is  located  on  the  San  Ignacio  River,  and  the  soil 
is  very  fertile. 

Mining  Districts  and  Mines  of  Sinaloa. 

Rosario  District. — The  most  important  mine  of  this  dis- 
trict is  the  celebrated  Tajo  mine,  which  is  the  second  best 
producing  mine  in  the  state,  and  is  located  in  a  rolling 
country  on  the  bank  of  the  Rosario  River.  The  depth 
reached  two  years  ago  was  1,200  feet,  when  Mr.  Geo.  S. 
Montgomery,  of  this  city,  visited  it,  and  we  herewith  give 
his  representation  of  the  mines  of  this  district,  and  some 
others. 

This  mine  produces  fair  milling  ore,  with  (JO  per  cent, 
gold;  the  balance,  silver.  The  vein  is  six  fe^t  wide,  until 
a  bonanza  is  reached,  that  widens  out  the  vein  to  about  100 
feet.  They  were  then  taking  out  ore  in  a  bonanza  that 
assayed,  on  an  average,  $120  per  ton,  and  ran  sometimes  in 
first-class  ore  up  to   $1,000.     This  mine   is  owned    by  Mr. 


118 


Bradbury,  of  Oakland,  uud  Mr.  Kelly  and  other  merchauts 
of  Mazatlan.  This  is  one  of  the  best  equipped  mines  in  the 
state.  One  stamp-mill  of  30  stamps  was  working  the  ore, 
and  since,  a  20-stamp  mill  has  been  added.  The  30-stamp 
mill  was  then  working  40  tous  per  day,  which,  with  the  20- 
stamp  mill  now,  is  working  about  60  to  70  tons  per  day. 
This  mine  is  supporting  about  6,000  population.  There  are 
other  mines  in  this  district  of  minor  importance.  The  dis- 
tance to  Mazatlan  is  about  80  miles,  in  a  north-westerly  di- 
rection. 

riomosas  District. — The  principal  mine  is  the  Plomo- 
sa,  located  in  this  district  near  the  border  of  Durango,  and 
is  owned  by  a  Mazatlan  Company,  with  the  controlling  in- 
terest in  the  hands  of  merchants  of  tliat  city.  The  mine  is 
valued  at  $1,200,000,  and  is  divided  into  24  shares,  the 
usual  number  in  Mexican  mines.  Mr.  La  Madrid  was  the 
former  owner.  Tlie  depth  of  the  mine  is  over  800  feet; 
width  of  vein,  20  to  25  feet,  well  defined  and  apparently 
permanent.  This  mine  has  paid  from  the  start,  although 
the  ore  is  somewhat  rebellious,  which  could  not  be  worked 
as  easily  as  within  the  last  year.  The  ores  carried  galena 
and  zinc.  The  average  assay  was  about  $80  to  $90  per  ton, 
and  is  worked  by  a  20-stamp  mill  at  the  mine.  This  district 
is  about  120  miles  south-east  from  Mazatlan. 

The  Abundancia  mine,  in  Plomosas,  is  situated  in  the  gap 
which  descends  from  the  rancheria  of  Plomositas  in  a  pre- 
cipituous  decline  towards  the  northeast.  The  mountain  on 
which  the  works  are  established,  as  well  as  the  neighboring 
one  of  the  Potrero  Las  Escaleras  and  El  Arco,  are  of  strati- 
fied rock,  affected  by  metamorphism,  and  repose  on  the  dyo- 
ritic  formation  in  this  locality.  The  asjject  of  all  this  zone^ 
from  the  decline  of  the  ground,  from  the  elevated  central 
table,  is  of  a  very  favorable  geological  character  for  ores. 

The  Abundancia  metaliferous  lode  detaches  itself  In  part 
from  the  mountain  that  incloses  it  in  a  compact  and  elevated 
cliff,  which  has  been  prospected  in  great  part  by  the  ancients. 
The  broad-vein  prosjiect  shows  a  liorizontal  breadth  of  at 
least  ten  metres.  It  is  to  be  noted  that  where  the  matrix  is 
found  to  be  more  quartzified  are  seen  the  best  or  more 
abunciant  ores,  and  as  soon  as  the  limestone  aspect  appears 
in  small  veins  it  seems  that  galena  follows  it,  but  without 
the  concise  relation  taking  place.  I  cannot  consider  the 
Abundancia  lode  as  being  a  vein,  properly  so  called,  nor  as 
an  altogether  irregular  lode,  for  there  appears  a  transition 
between  both  in  its  character. 


119 

The  situation  of  the  cliff  above  the  adit  is  recognizable  bj 
the  old  shafts  which  corarauuicate  with  the  interior.  It  can 
be  perceived  from  the  [Miliars  and  some  of  the  intervals  that 
the  ancients  worked  through  means  of  a  regular  alloy,  and 
the  extent  of  these  workings  indicate  the  considerable  quan- 
tities of  ores  that  they  extracted.  Up  to  December  2l8t, 
1881,  the  mine  had  yielded  27,C54  cargas  of  different  ores, 
containing,  as  per  mining  assay,  332,474  ounces  of  silver, 
averaging  about  12.15-100  ounces  per  extracted  carga.  Of 
these,  554,  averaging  G5  ounces  alloy,  which  has  been  ex- 
ported, corresponding  to  two  per  cent,  of  the  total  in  weight, 
and  10.08-100  in  value. — Extract  from  lieport  of  Pedro  L. 
Mouray  on  the  Plomosas  La  Abundancia  Mines. 

The  Jocuistita  Mine. 

{From  a  Report  bij  ^Ym.  Ashbtirner,  M.  K,  31ay  21^,  1880.) 
"  The  raining  property  known  as  the  '  Negociacion  Mineria 
de  Jocuistita'  is  situated  in  the  San  Ignacio  mining  dis- 
trict, State  of  Sinaloa,  Mexico,  about  100  miles  northerly 
from  the  port  of  Mazatlan.  The  property  includes  a  group 
of  nine  silver-bearing  lodes,  lying  within  a  short  distance  of 
one  another,  and  on  all  of  which  work  has  been  done  suf- 
ficient to  prove  their  mineral  character.  Of  these,  the  i)rin- 
cipal  one,  so  far  as  demonstrated,  is  known  as  "El  Carmen." 
A  narrow  ravine  extends  northerly  from  the  town  of  Jocuis- 
tita, down  which  runs  a  perennial  spring  of  water,  sufficient 
for  about  ten  stamps  in  the  dryest  time,  while  during  the 
rainy  season  the  supply  is  indefinitely  increased.  The  mill, 
or  hacienda,  is  situated  at  the  mouth  of  this  ravine,  while 
higher  up,  on  the  west  side  and  less  than  half  a  mile  distant, 
IS  the  Carmen  vein.  This  is  the  only  vein  now  worked  upon 
the  property,  and  in  it  has  recently  been  developed  a  body 
of  ore  which  exceeds  in  richnegs  and  extent  anytliing  pre- 
viously discovered.  This  vein  has  an  east  and  west  direction, 
running  towards  a  steep  outlying  flank  of  the  main  mountain 
range,  which  rises  abruptly  to  a  height  of  several  hundred 
feet,  forming  a  sharp  crest  or  divide.  There  apears  little 
doubt  that  the  lode  will  be  also  found  extending  to  the  east, 
upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  ravine,  as  from  what  was  told 
me,  a  small  shaft  about  4^  feet  deep  was  sunk  400  feet  from 
the  mouth  of  the  Carmen  mine,  from  which  about  one  ton 
of  ore  was  extracted,  and  worked  with  a  milling  result  of 
2(36  ounces  of  silver  per  ton.  Subsequently,  this  shaft  was 
filled,  and  a  tunnel  was  commenced  for  the  purpose  of  cross- 


120 

cutting  in  depth  several  of  the  less  known  veins,  so  I  was 
unable  to  verify  the  statement  b}^  sampling  the  shaft.  The 
country  rock  is  greenstone  porphyry,  lying  in  close  proximity 
to  a  reddish  trachyte.  The  vein  dips  toward  the  north  at  an 
angle  of  83  degrees,  and  in  places,  particularly  where  the  ore 
bodies  are  found,  there  is  a  well-defined  clay  wall;  its  width 
varies  from  a  few  feet  to  17  and  18  feet.  The  ore  is  some- 
what complex,  containing  frequently,  besides  sulphuret  of 
silver  and  native  silver,  zinc,  copper,  iron  and  lead,  in  form 
of  sulphurets,  associated  with  a  quartz  gangue.  I^otwith- 
standing  the  presence  ot  these  base  metals,  the  results 
obtained  by  amalgamation  appear  to  be  very  satisfactory. 
As  the  ore  comes  from  the  mine  it  is  first  assorted  by  hand, 
richer  portion  being  selected  for  shipment  to  Europe,  while 
what  is  called  the  ordinary  ore  is  sent  to  the  mill.  At  the 
time  of  my  visit,  this  shipping  ore  was  estimated  as  being 
worth,  by  assay,  about  750  ounces  per  ton,  while  the  mill, 
running  only  fliir  samples,  was  producing  nearly  or  quite 
$1800  per  day.  The  proportion  which  the  shipping  ore 
bears  to  the  milling  ore  bears  to  the  milling  ore  is  very  va- 
riable, and  depends  upon  the  extent  to  which  the  former  is 
segregated  from  the  latter  in  the  vein  itself.  The  mine  is 
worked  by  a  vertical  shaft,  eight  by  ten  feet,  and  which  is 
now  133  feet  deep.  The  ore  is  hoisted  to  the  surface  by 
means  of  a  whim.  From  this  shaft  drifts  10  metres  or  33 
feet  apart  have  been  extended  westerly  on  the  course  of  the 
vein;  leaving  behind,  however,  in  the  form  ot  pillars,  most 
of  the  ore,  which  is  of  much  lower  grade  than  that  recently 
developed  in  the  west  end  of  the  mine,  and  under  the 
mountain  which  rises  above  it." 

A  one-half  interest  in  this  mine  was  purchased  for  $500,000 
by  San  Francisco  capitalists.  The  ore  of  this  mine  has  as- 
sayed about  50-per  cent,  silver.  The  vein,  at  a  depth  of 
about  250  feet,  is  40  feet  wide,  and  contains  a  small  percent- 
age of  gold  and  galena.  The  mine  has  been  worked  for  some 
years  by  Mexicans.  The  superintendent  of  the  Guadalupe  de 
Los  Keyes  negotiated  the  sale  of  this  mine,  being  the  prin- 
cipal owner.  They  have  worked  the  mine  by  a  10-stamp 
mill,  but  are  now  erecting  a  20-stamp  mill,  and  are  by  the 
old  stamp  mill  producing  from  $50,000  to  $60,000  per  month. 
The  ore  is  rebellious,  and  is  consequently  more  expensive  to 
work  than  the  ores  of  many  other  mines  in  the  State,  but 
the  large  percentage  of  silver  makes  it  a  very  profitable  mine. 
The  distance  from  this  mine  to  Mazatlauis  about  80  miles. 


121 

"The  mineral  districts  of  San  Ignacio  and  Cosala,  in  the 
State  of  Sinaloa,  have  in  times  past  given  milHons  of  dollars 
yearly  in  silver  and  gold.  The  mines  of  Cosala,  more  partic- 
ularly, have  and  still  are,  jnelding  large  quantities  of  the 
precious  metal.  The  ores  are  very  rich  and  the  veins  very 
wide.  These  as  a  general  rule  will  yield  $500  per  ton.  The 
Guadalupe  de  los  Reyes  is  surprisingly  rich  in  gold  and  silver. 
For  years  this  mine  has  been  the  source  of  many  quarrels 
and  numberless  bloodj^  fights  between  two  families  who 
claimed  its  ownership.  The  mine  has  been  held  in  posses- 
sion by  the  Vega  family,  whose  wealth  and  political  power 
enabled  them  to  control  not  only  this  very  rich  mine,  but  the 
whole  Stare  of  Sinaloa.  The  liberal  party  at  length  caused 
the  political  downfall  of  this  family;  they  did  not  y\e\d  pos- 
session of  this  mine,  however,  to  its  rightful  owners.  An 
English  company  once  offered  Vega  for  this  mine  one  mil- 
lion dollars,  which  he  refused,  saying  that  he  did  not  want 
any  money  at  that  time,  and  if  he  did  he  had  only  to  work 
his  mine,  and  that  would  yield  him  any  number  of  millions 
— which  was  true." — Chipman's  Mineral  Resources  of  North- 
ern Mexico. 

"The  district  of  Panuco  is  situated  in  the  southern  por- 
tion of  Sinaloa.  In  this  locality  there  are  several  mines; 
these,  before  the  independence  of  Mexico,  belonged  to  the 
Marquis  of  Panuco.  The  Marquis  obtained  from  them 
many  millions  of  dollars  in  silver.  The  ores  of  the  richest 
class  are  argentiferous,  and  yield  from  §500  to  $600  per  ton. 
The  ores  that  are  treated  by  amalgamation  (which  forms 
the  greater  portion  of  the  ores  found)  bj^  the  Mexican  mode 
of  treating  them  yield  $200  per  ton.  After  the  death  of  the 
Marquis,  the  mines  fell  into  the  hands  of  a  merchant  of  Maz- 
atlan,  by  the  name  of  Machado.  He  worked  the  mines  very 
successfully  for  many  3'ears,  until  his  death  some  15  years 
ago,  since  which  time  his  family  have  alternately  worked 
them,  squandered  the  products  and  ran  them  in  debt,  and 
finally  abandoned  them. 

"A  few  miles  northwest  from  Panuco,  in  the  State  of 
Sinaloa,  and  distant  from  the  Pacific  Coast  some  30  miles, 
lies  the  famous  mine  of  Tajo,  situate  in  a  town  called  Rosario. 
This  mine  owes  its  discovery  to  a  herdsman  of  cattle.  One 
day  while  chasing  some  wild  cattle  through  the  woods,  a 
twig  of  a  tree  caught  the  rosary  he  had  suspended  to  his 
neck  and  jerked  it  from  him.  Not  wishing  to  lose  it  nor 
the  animal  he  was  in  pursuit  of,  he  threw  ofi'liis  hat  to  des- 


122 

ignate  the  spot.  Upon  his  return  night  overtook  him  before 
he  could  find  his  animal;  thereupon  he  concluded  to  spend 
the  night.  He  built  a  fire  and  waited  until  morning  to  look 
for  his  rosarj  by  daylight.  In  lighting  his  cigarette  by  the 
coals  of  his  fire  he  noticed  something  which  glistened  in  the 
ashes.  Upon  examination  of  this  substance  by  his  employer 
or  master  it  proved  to  be  pure  silver.  Excavations  were 
made  and  a  splendidly-formed  vein  was  found,  rich  in  silver 
and  gold.  The  mine  was  worked  and  regularly  opened,  and 
for  sixty  years  yielded  immense  treasures  to  the  owners. 
Upon  the  expulsion  of  the  Spaniards  from  the  country,  the 
mine  was  left  unworked  for  many  years.  The  church  of 
Santo  Domingo  stands  immediately  over  some  of  the  prin- 
priucipal  workings  of  the  mine,  and  is  now  110  years  old. 
The  ores  of  this  mine  yield  an  average  of  $120  per  ton. 
The  mine  is  now  worked  by  an  American  company,  whose 
headquarters  are  in  San  Francisco. 

A  few  miles  east  from  Rosario,  in  the  State  of  Sinaloa,  is 
located  a  mine  called  Plomosa.  This  mine  was  opened  and 
worked  many  years  ago  to  a  depth  of  250  feet  by  the  Mexi- 
cans, producing  while  it  was  worked  large  amounts  of  silver. 
The  ores  gave  $250  per  ton.  A  large  influx  of  water  sud- 
denly put  a  stop  to  operations,  since  which  time  nothing  has 
been  done  to  place  the  mine  in  working  condition.  It  is  a 
well-attested  fact  that  the  mine  was  yielding  largelj'  at  the 
time  of  its  abandonment.  Nearly  two  years  ago  the  mine 
was  denounced,  and  possession  given  to  some  Americans, 
who  now  own  it. 

Northwest  from  Plomosa  but  a  few  miles,  and  in  the 
same  State,  we  find  the  Mineral  of  Copala.  There  are  a 
great  number  of  silver-bearing  veins  found  in  this  locality, 
upon  which  many  mines  of  good  reputation  are  now  being 
worked.  Several  American  companies  have  erected  reduc- 
tion works  here,  and  but  for  the  advent  of  the  French  inter- 
vention would  have  been  successfully  prosecuting  their  oper- 
ations. The  ores  are  abundant,  and  give  about  $175  per 
ton. 

Distant  from  the  coast  of  the  Pacific  150  miles  we  find 
the  District  of  Ventanas.  At  this  place  some  six  or  seven 
American  companies  are  working,  some  with  success,  and 
all  with  good  prospects,  according  to  their  respective  means 
and  skillful  or  unskillful  management.  The  lodes  are  very 
numerous,  and  all  the  mines  that  have  been  worked  gave 
good  results.  The  average  yield  of  the  ores  may  be  safely 
calculated  to  be  $100  per  ton. 


123 

The  placer  of  the  "  Canoda  de  Banazagna"  is  situated 
about  1(3  leagues  soutlieast  of  Alamos,  in  Sonora,  on  the 
north  side  of  a  tributary  to  the  Fuerte  Kiver.  The  [)lacer 
extends  for  about  12  miles  in  the  canon,  and  has  been  worked 
to  a  considerable  extent  in  the  time  of  the  Spaniards.  The 
hillsides  for  all  this  distance  have  been  perforated  in  many 
places,  and  shafts  sunk  and  drifts  run.  Some  of  the  works 
are  recent,  but  the  miners  not  being  acquainted  with  the 
modes  of  getting  out  the  water  by  pumps  and  flumes,  have 
done  all  their  work  by  washing  in  wooden  bowls,  and 
abandoning  the  shaft  on  encomitering  water.  At  the  head 
of  the  canon  drifting  has  been  done  to  a  considerable  extent. 
The  soil  is  composed  of  a  red  clay  and  decomposed  quartz; 
the  ore  is  worked  by  arastras.  The  mountain  region  of  the 
Fuerte  is  so  exceedingly  rough  and  precipitous  that  no  wagon 
road  has  ever  been  (or  ever  will  be)  made  through  it.  All 
•carriage  is  performed  on  mules,  and  a  man  is  better  off  on 
foot  than  with  an  animal  under  him. 

Mines  of  the  Fuerte. 

From  Baneyagua  east  to  Las  Garobas  is  three  leagues. 
This  is  a  small  place,  but  gold  and  silver  mining  is  done 
here  to  some  extent.  Four  leagues  still  further  east  is  the 
Heal  del  Rosario,  another  mining  place,  owned  by  Sr.  Don 
Bruno  Esquessa.  The  mine  is  situated  on  the  side  of  a 
mountain,  on  the  north  side  of  the  hacienda,  and  the  dig- 
gings are  surface  diggings  or  excavations.  The  annual  rev- 
enue of  this  mine,  in  net  profits,  is  $70,000.  There  are  some 
gold  placers  in  the  vicinity  of  Chinipas,  about  30  leagues 
north,  and  the  inliabitants  are  engaged  in  washing  gold. 

Palmarejo  is  a  silver  mine,  distant  about  six  leagues  from 
Chinipas.  It  is  worked  by  Don  Miguel  Urea  of  Alamos. 
This  mine  is  worked  on  a  more  extensive  scale  than  any  in 
this  section  of  the  country.  There  are  20,000  ounces  of  sil- 
ver taken  out  of  it  monthly.  The  ore  is  taken  out  by  im- 
provised forcing  machinery.  A  four-stamp  mill  is  run  by 
water-power  to  reduce  the  ore.  Abundance  of  water  and 
timber  is  adjacent;  the  roughness  of  the  country  compels 
the  owner  to  carry  the  ore  on  mules'  backs  for  nine  miles  to 
the  mill  site. 

Chois  is  situated  in  the  valley  of  the  stream  of  the  same 
name,  which  empties  into  the  Fuerte  River.  Its  situation  is 
very  beautiful,  being  on  a  fine  [ilain,  with  a  very  pretty  view. 
This  town  is  the  natural  outlet  for  all  the  mines  of  that  coun- 


124 

try  in  the  northern  part  of  Sinaloa.  and  is  one  of  the  richest 
mineral  districts  of  Mexico.  Its  situation  at  the  base  of  the 
mountains,  its  easy  access  by  good  roads  from  the  farms  and 
ranchos  of  the  lower  valley,  and  its  facility  for  communica- 
tion with  the  Gulf,  must  make  it  an  important  place  for  trade 
as  well  as  industry.  The  whole  surrounding  country-is  rich 
in  gold  placers,  and  even  the  S23ot  on  which  Chois  stands 
furnishes  gold  by  washing  the  soil.  All  the  streams  in  the 
neighborhood  show  the  color  on  washing  the  loose  soil  of  the 
banks.  The  town  is  about  four  miles  from  the  junction  of 
the  stream  with  the  Fuerte  River. 

Las  Iglesias  is  located  four  leagues  up  the  Chois,  where 
the  stream  makes  a  bend,  inclosing  a  mesa,  or  table  land,  of 
some  25  acres,  which  is  perforated  with  shafts  from  15  to  20 
feet  in  depth,  where  gold  has  been  sought  after.  There  is 
plenty  of  it,  and  the  dirt  all  pays  alike,  but  the  gold  is  so  fine 
that  the  natives  cannot  save  it.  Above  Las  lo-lesias,  one  leaijue 
on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  the  Arroyo  Sabina,  or  Cypress 
creek,  is  encountered,  which  runs  a  course  due  north;  follow- 
ing it  for  four  leagues,  a  branch  of  the  same  stream,  called 
Los  Pillos,  is  reached,  where  the  valley  bed  forms  a  natural 
reservoir  of  waters.  This  stream  heads,  in  an  easterl}'^  direc- 
tion, toward  a  high  mountain,  ranging  north  and  south,  A 
rich  placer  is  also  located  here,  which  has  been  slightly 
worked  by  Indians.  Placers  have  been  found  also  on  the 
Bayemeue  creek  and  at  Yucorati.  At  this  latter  place  are 
old  Spanish  diggings,  the  ruins  of  their  works  showing  that 
here  has  once  been  a  large  population  of  gold-seekers.  The 
country  adjacent  is  perforated  with  shafts  and  drifts.  The 
quicksands  in  the  bed  of  the  creek  have  hitherto  prevented 
miners  from  reaching  the  ledge  where  the  gold  may  be 
found. 

The  Mount  Serat  mine  is  located  in  the  vicinity  of  Re- 
alito,  one  league  distant.  This  is  a  famous  silver  mine,  and 
is  owned  and  worked  l)y  Sr.  Don  Juan  Migloria.  •  Its  eleva- 
tion on  a  high  mountain  makes  it  a  very  prominent  object. 
Mount  Serat  has  been  extensively  worked,  and  all  around  it, 
in  the  mountains,  shafts  have  been  sunk  and  drifts  run.  It 
is  still  worked  on  a  small  scale.  Some  of  the  most  prom- 
inent mines  are  Todos  Santos,  All  Saints  Mine,  San  Jose  and 
Santa  Catarina. 

The  gold  placers  of  Baconbirito  are  located  at  the  junction 
of  the  tributaries  of  the  Sinaloa  River.  The  soil  is  appar- 
ently full  of  gold,  and  extends  over  a  horseshoe  bend  of  the 
river  for  some  miles.     The  gold  is  coarse,  and  pays  ^18  per 


125 

ounce.  Many  shafts  have  been  sunk  here;  water  and  timber 
are  in  abundance.  These  placers  have  been  considerably 
worked,  and  are  undoubtedly  not  exhausted. 

"  The  Candeluria  mine  is  located  nine  miles  northeast  of 
the  town  of  Rosario,  Sinaloa,  and  is  on  the  same  belt  as  the 
celebrated  Tajo  mine — distant  therefrom  only  some  three 
leagues.  The  raining  location  embraces  2400  feet  in  length, 
by  GOO  in  width.  The  mine  was  opened  in  1860,  and  the 
only  explorations  consist  of  a  shaft  sunk  to  the  depth  of  100 
feet,  and  the  mine  being  filled  water,  I  was  unable  to  exam- 
ine it.  Samples  of  ore  from  the  pillars  yielded  from  ^r~)8  17 
per  ton  to  ^583  20,  Assa3\  In  the  process  of  sinking  100 
feet  and  the  stopes  from  the  same,  ^35,000  was  abstracted 
from  the  ore.  The  width  of  the  vein  is  said  to  be  from  five 
to  six  feet.  The  conditions  for  cheap  and  econominal  work 
are  very  favorable — both  wood  and  water,  the  former  of  the 
very  best  quality — being  close  at  hand." — Thomas  Price's 
Meport  on  said  Mine,  April  14.th,  1881. 

The  San  Francisco  mine  belongs  to  the  family  of  Maria, 
and  is  located  in  the  northwestern  part  of  Sinaloa,  upon  the 
northern  spur  of  the  Chihuahua  range  of  the  Sierra  Madre, 
about  midway  on  the  mountain,  at  an  elevation  of  about  600 
feet  above  the  plain  of  that  region.  The  mine  is  an  old  one, 
developed  by  shafts,  with  a  depth  of  about  185  feet  in  the 
deepest  shaft.  The  veins  are  numerous,  cropi:)ing  out  of  the 
mountain  side,  and  can  be  readily  traced. 

The  Veta  Madre  as  about  three  feet  wide,  carrying  free 
gold  and  some  silver.  From  $40  to  $500  is  produced  from 
the  ore  upon  assays  made  by  a  competent  expert.  The 
average  assay  is  said  to  be  about  $70  or  $80.  We  are  also 
informed  by  an  engineer  who  examined  the  property,  to 
whom  we  are  indebted  for  the  foregoing,  that  the  mine  is 
now  worked  by  Mexicans,  with  some  six  or  seven  arastras. 
Besides  the  foregoing,  a  very  rich  gold  mine  has  been  dis- 
covered near  San  Ignacio,  in  this  State. 

The  Panuco  District — This  district  possesses  some  very 
rich  mines.  The  Panuco  mines,  especially,  have  lately  been 
favorably  reported  upon  by  a  mining  engineer  sent  from  San 
Francisco,  and  the  mines  have  been  bonded,  with  a  view  to 
to  purchase  and  development.  Dr.  Holland  has  this  report 
in  his  possession,  and  we  are  informed  by  him  that  the  gen- 
tlemen interested  are  perfectly  satisfied,  and  are  assured  that 
they  have  made  not  only  a  safe  but  profitable  investment. 
Not  having  the  data  at  hand  we  are  not  able  to  give  the  ex- 


126 

act  fio^ures  of  the  assay  and   the  report  is  omitted,  but   we 
present  in  lieu  thereof  the  following  : 

From  a  report  by  Mark  Cornish  of  Nov.  3,  1881. — The 
Panuco  Mining  District,  situated  in  the  State  of  Sinaloa, 
Mexico,  sixty-five  miles  from  the  port  of  Mazatlan,  is  sur- 
rounded by  good  agricultural  lands,  supplying  all  kinds  of 
produce  at  the  lowest  prices.  The  clii^ate  is  healthy,  the 
temperature  ranges  from  60  to  75  degrees  Fahrenheit,  and 
the  location  2,000  feet  above  the  sea  level.  Work  must  have 
been  commenced  in  the  different  mines  of  the  above  mining 
district  as  far  back  as  the  beginning  of  last  century,  because 
about  fifty  years  later  an  Indian  by  the  name  of  Vizcarra 
discovered  the  mine  called  "Faizan,"  and  out  of  its  profits 
built  the  churches  at  Rosario,  Concordia,  Copala,  Panuco  and 
Guadalupe,  using  in  their  construction  hewn  stone  and  cement, 
at  an  expenditure  of  over  five  hundred  thousand  dollars. 
The  silver  bullion  of  this  district  was  at  one  time  the  main 
support  of  the  Royal  Treasury  at  Rosario,  where  there  was 
an  office  for  the  collection  of  rev^enue  to  be  paid  to  the  Spanish 
Crown,  on  all  bullion  extracted  from  the  mines.  The  follow- 
ing are  the  names  of  the  mines  of  the  district:  "Animas 
Yiejas,"  Faizan,  S'ta  Eduviges,  Estufa,  Covalenga,  Cuevillas, 
Bomba,  Chinanate,  JSieves,  Refugio,  Amaloton  Burrion,  Ani- 
mas Nueves,  Faizanito,  Santa  Rosa,  Fronteras,  Las  Remedias, 
Cuevillas  de  Charcas,  Palo  Blanco,  Tiempo,  Toro,  Piojo, 
Dolores,  and  San  Cayetano,  and  may  be  a  few  more  of  which 
we  don't  remember  the  names  at  present.  Along  the  Panuco 
mine  there  are  still  six  mills  in  a  ruined  state.  "  The  San 
Nicolas"  mill,  which  must  have  cost  a  good  deal  over  $200,000, 
has,  during  six  or  eight  months  of  the  year,  a  water  power  of 
150  horses. 

The  Panuco  property  also  comprises  13  square  leagues  of  the 
land  surrounding  the  mining  district,  with  plenty  of  water, 
abundant  pasturage,  and  covered  with  pine,  oak,  and  other 
kinds  of  timber. 

We  know  but  very  little  of  the  workings  of  these  mines  in 
olden  times.  By  tradition  we  know  of  a  Mr.  Zambrano,  who 
M^orked  some  of  the  Panuco  mines  at  the  end  of  the  last  cen- 
tury. This  gentleman  became  famous  for  having  erected,  in 
Durango,  a  palatial  mansion,  covering  a  block  600  feet  long 
by  400  feet  wide,  which  is  used  as  a  capitol  of  the  State  Gov- 
ernment at  the  present  time.  But  what  made  him  world- 
renowned  was  his  extravagance  in  constructing  the  railing  of 
all  the  balconies  of  solid  silver.  But  the  King  ordered  him 
to  have  them  taken  down,  as,  in  the  order,  he  said,  that  even 


127 

his  Roval  Majesty  would  not  permit  himself  to  display  such 
ma2:nificeiice. 

Regarding  the  workings  of  the  present  century,  we  know 
that  a  Mr.  Remus,  wliose  heirs  reside  in  the  city  of  Guada- 
lajara, worked,  from  1820  to  1830,  the  "Santa  Eduviges"  and 
"  Santa  Rosa "  claims,  with  very  satisfactory  results.  Mr. 
Remus  conveyed  some  of  these  mines  to  Mr.  Ornezagay,  of 
Durango,  and  this  last  one  to  Messrs.  Flores  &  Gadea,  of  Tepie. 
In  the  year  1844  they  were  conveyed  to  Mr.  Juan  P.  Machado, 
who  also  bought  several  other  claims,  intending  to  develop 
more  extensively  the  mining  industr}^  of  the  district.  He 
worked  these  mines  until  he  died,  in  1848.  The  other  mines 
have  been  worked  by  various  parties,  with  excellent  results. 
The  average  assays  from  the  "Faizan"  mine  pay  $70  per  ton, 
which  is  the  same  as  in  the  "Animas,"  "  Santa  Rosa,"  "  Santa 
Eduviges,"  "Faizanito,"  "Fronteras"  and  "  Mina  Grande" 
mines.  Rock  has  been  taken  out  from  the  Faizan  mine 
which  assayed  as  high  as  $2,000  per  ton,  but  there  is  not 
enough  of  it.  The  "Estufa"  mine  turns  out  a  large  amount 
of  ore,  but  the  assays  don't  average  over  $40  per  ton.  The 
ores  from  almost  all  the  Panuco  mines  are  free  milling,  with 
the  exception  of  those  of  the  "  Covalenga."  The  Panuco 
mines  generally  have  but  little  water,  and  the  greatest  depth 
attained  in  any  of  them  is  not  more  than  600  feet. 

P^rom  a  report  by  Mr.  Frederic  "Weidner,  Mining  Engineer, 
on  July  loth,  1881. — The  gold  mine  "  La  Union  "  or  Boles 
mine  was  worked  during  the  first  decade  of  this  century;  and 
whilst  there  is  no  official  record  of  what  it  yielded,  the  unani- 
mous testimony  of  surviving  contemporaneous  residents  attest 
the  fact  that  the  mine  was  very  rich,  and  only  abandoned  in 
consequence  of  the  war  of  independence.  A  few  years  ago 
it  was  re-located  and  worked  for  a  while  by  parties  without 
means  enough,  who  conveyed  it  to  its  present  owners,  viz.: 
Messrs.  Maxemin  Hermanos,  Roman  and  xVdelaide  Osund, 
and  successors  of  C.  Fairbanks,  who  entered  into  legal  pos- 
session in  November  last  (1881),  recording  it  under  the  name 
of  "  Union  Mine."  The  mine  is  situated  in  the  district  of 
Mazatlan,  55  miles  N.E.  of  this  port  (Mazatlan),  on  the  west- 
ern slope  of  a  mountain  range  forming  one  of  the  first  steppes 
of  the  Sierra  Madre,  near  the  source  of  the  Nacaral  and  Guay- 
raas  creeks,  which  flow  through  the  ravine  called  the  San 
Juan,  and  empty  into  the  Mazatlan  river.  Its  sumjnit  rears 
200  feet  above  the  entrance  to  the  mine,  at  an  elevation  of 
1,550  feet  above  the  sea,  thus  insuring  a  temperate,  agreeable 
and  healthful  climate.  The  mine  is  situated  in  the  heart  of  a 
forest  of  valuable  timber,  such  as  venadillo,  mora,  tig  tree, 


128 

apomo,  and  other  species,  aflfording  an  inexhaustible  supply 
for  building  and  fuel.  Within  a  radius  of  a  few  miles,  on 
both  banks  of  the  Mazathm  river,  there  are  ranchos,  farms, 
and  grazing  fields,  which  furnish  supplies  at  reasonable  prices. 
For  instance:  corn  at  $5.00  per  carga  (300  lbs.) ;  beans,  $3.00  ; 
cattle,  $10.00  per  head.  Good  labor  for  the  mine  and  carriers 
for  precious  metals  are  readily  secured  at  the  neighboring 
town  of  La  Noria. 

The  mountain  containing  the  ledges  ot  the  Boles  mine  is 
granite,  the  same  as  the  surrounding  region.  This  kind  of 
rock  has  the  property  here  of  decomposing  or  crumbling 
easily  ;  on  the  surface  forming  a  peculiar  gravel,  called  by  the 
native  Indians  *'tucurubay,"  which  is  easily  reduced  by  the  point 
of  the  bar  or  "  talacha ;'"  but  at  a  depth  of  3  or  4  metres  this 
same  rock  is  so  hard  and  solid  that  excavations  of  six  or  more 
metres  in  extent  may  be  cut  out,  unsupported  by  timber  and 
without  fear  of  caving  in.  A  considerable  number  of  veins 
are  traceable  on  the  out-croppings.  The  only  ones  which 
have  been  worked  heretofore  are  two,  both  quite  irregular 
and  varying  in  width  and  depth.  The  width  ranges  from  1  to 
5  feet.  The  body  of  the  ledge  is  composed  almost  exclusively 
of  white,  compact  quartz,  with  a  bluish  tinge,  containing  more 
or  less  gold ;  it  being  a  noticeable  fact  that  the  gold  occurs 
here  disseminated  in  invisibly  small  particles,  foliated,  or  in 
round  or  angular  masses,  varying  from  fine  powder  to  grains 
like  rice.  In  some  eyes  and  threads  ot  the  vein  the  quartz  is 
accompanied  by  pyrites  of  iron  (commonly  called  "  bronce 
amarillo"),  and  talc  of  a  dark  cloudy  green  hue,  resembling 
sometimes  slate  of  chlorite,  again  serpentine,  and  in  these 
cases  these  ores  are  always  auriferous,  and  contain  from  twice 
to  four  times  as  much  metal  as  the  pure  quartz.  In  addition 
to  this  auriferous  ore,  properly  so  called,  there  are  found  in 
the  lower  levels  pockets  of  auri-argentiferous  ore,  containing 
antimonial  sulphuret  of  lead,  with  a  great  deal  of  gold  and 
some  silver. 

The  owners  of  the  mine  are  now  building  a  new  and  im- 
proved mill,  costing  $5,000,  in  the  same  ravine  which  comes 
down  from  the  mine  at  only  600  or  800  paces  from  the  shaft. 
The  machinery  comprises  a  steam  engine  (8  x  16),  18-horse 
power,  driving  5-stamp  mill  of  650  lbs.,  an  apron,  concentrator, 
Frue  patent,  and  other  auxiliary  appliances.  The  yield  by 
the  arrastra  from  1,204  cargas  of  the  ore  was  $12,217.60,  or 
over  $10.00  per  carga. 

La  Joya  Mining  District. — :The  group  of  mines  comprised 
within  the  boundaries  of  the  "La  Joya"  property  are  known 
as  the  "JRefugio"  or  "  S'ta  Eduviges,"  the  "San  Juan,"  the 


129 

«  Gloria,"  the  "Kosario,"  the  "Ililos,"  the  "Relis,"  the  "Vir- 
ginia," and  the  "San  Engenio"  mines.  They  are  sit\iated  in 
the  mining  district  of  La  Joya,  prefeetnre  of  Sinaloa.  State  of 
Sinaloa,  and  distant  about  120  miles  from  Culiacan,  capital  of 
the  State,  or  60  miles  from  the  city  of  Sinaloa,  and  90  miles. 
from  Plaza  Colorado,  a  safe  port  in  the  Gulf  of  California, 
through  which  all  high  grade  ores  from  the  mines  are  ex- 
ported, and  where  mining  machinery  and  materials  destined 
for  La  Joj^a  are  regularly  landed.  The  climate  is  exceedingly 
healthy,  the  temperature  ranging  from  60°  to  75°  Fahrenheit. 
Grain  and  produce  abound  in  the  neighborhood,  at  very  mod- 
erate prices,  the  property  being  located  within  4  leagues  (10 
miles)  of  the  best  agricultural  lands  in  the  countr3\ 

The  width  of  the  v^eins  (of  the  above  property)  vary  some- 
what in  the  diti'erent  mines.  Thus  the  "  S'ta  Eduviges  "  or 
"Refugio"  averages  from  7  to  13  feet;  the  "San  Juan,"  13 
feet ;  the  "  Gloria,"  from  6  to  14  feet,  and  the  "  Rosario  " 
more  than  the  "  Refugio."  The  veins  are  encased  between 
good  solid  walls  of  dioritic  porphyry  intercepted  by  crystal- 
lized poryhyry,  in  small  quantities,  combined  with  decom- 
posed granite  in  large  masses.  Along  the  entire  length  of 
the  location  numberless  small  veins  crop  out  and  traverse  the 
ground  in  different  directions,  but  no  evidence  is  shown  that 
the  main  lodes  are  broken  anywhere  upon  the  surface.  Mr. 
Munoz  lays  great  stress  upon  the  fact  that  the  geological 
formation  of  this  district  favors  the  production  of  extensive 
bodies  of  rich  ores.  He  decribes  the  same  as  appertaining 
to  the  trappeanic  period,  which  is  of  a  porphyritic  nature, 
showing  a  greater  ejection  of  precious  metals  than  other 
metalliferous  zones. 

The  two  most  interesting  mines  are  the  "  S'ta  Eduviges"  and 
"  Rosario."  They  have  been  somewhat  extensively  opened 
and  much  valuable  ore  taken  out  of  them,  and  still  it  is  easily 
shown  that  their  mineral  wealth  is  merely  skimmed,  as  the 
average  depth  of  the  works  does  not  exceed  420  feet.  At  this 
depth  the  veins  are  more  defined,  and  the  ore  chutes  become 
more  regular  and  permanent,  and  the  ore  averages  a  greater 
richness  than  nearer  the  surface. 

Mexicans  never  touch  a  vein  which  does  not  pay  from  its 
very  surface,  and  then  the}'  only  follow  the  ore  body  encoun- 
tered, until  the  excavations  become  dan<2;erous  or  expensive 
from  want  of  ventilation  or  drainage,  ^o  dead  work  of  any 
consequence  is  ever  done.  Perpendicular  or  hoisting  shafts 
are  seldom  met  with  in  any  mining  district ;  no  explorations 
underground  are  undertaken  to  any  extent,  with  a  view  to 
discover  ore  chutes  other  than  the  one  originally  followed  in  the 


130 

same  vein.  No  matter  what  treasures  a  mine  may  contain  in 
its  lower  levels,  no  cross-cuts  are  made,  and  it  is  simply  by 
accident  that  more  than  one  ore  body  is  developed  in  a  single 
vein.  And  then  how  often  do  we  see  a  mine  with  many 
mouths  or  openinos,  started  one  after  the  ^ther,  abandoned  as 
the  ore  body  in  the  previous  excavation  would  pinch  or  break 
off,  or  as  water  would  be  encountered. 

The  ores  contain  mainly  silver  with  a  small  percentage  of 
gold.  The  expense  of  milling  does  not  exceed  $1.31  per  carga 
of  300  lbs.,  including  freightage  from  the  mine.  The  yield 
varies  according  to  the  quality  of  the  ores,  but  only  such  ores 
are  worked  as  assay  a  minimum  of  40  ounces  of  silver  to  the 
ton,  of  which  there  are  always  great  quantities. 

There  is  never  any  scarcity  of  workmen.  Ttie  Barreteros 
or  drill-men  get  $1.00  per  diem,  and  the  same  wages  are 
paid  to  timberers.  The  ore  carriers  get  75  cents  per  day,  and 
all  other  common  laborers  at  the  mill  only  50  cents  for  10 
hours'  work.  The  workmen  are  paid  weekly,  and  receive  75 
per  cent,  of  their  wages  in  merchandise  and  25  per  cent,  in 
coin.  The  present  owners  keep  a  store  for  the  purpose,  and 
reap  a  benefit  of  75  per  cent,  upon  their  investment.  The 
ores  expoi'ted,  for  account  of  Messr.  Martinez  de  Castro,  show 
a  total  of  8,818  sacks,  weighing,  net,  1,263, 41:7  lbs.  The  same 
foot  up  a  gross  yield  of  £55,771  (sterling),  8s.,  3d.,  and  equal 
to  about  $269,931.64. 

San  Fkancisco,  May  15th,  1882. 

From  a  report  of  Mi*.  J.  C.  Turner,  made  on  Feb,  12th, 
1881,  to  the  Mexican  Exploring  and  Mining  Syndicate,  we 
quote  the  following: — The  Cuatro  Senores  mine  is  situated 
in  Copala  raining  district,  judicial  district  of  Concordia,  65 
miles  from  the  port  of  Mazatlan.  Work  was  first  commenced 
on  this  mine  August,  1868,  and  has  since  been  carried  for- 
ward, and  it  has  never  failed  to  yield  ore  in  paying  quantities. 
The  ledge  crops  out  about  600  feet  below  the  apex  of  a  very 
high  mountain,  elevation  being  6,0u0  feet  above  sea  level.  The 
croppings  can  be  easily  traced  for  a  distance  of  4,000  feet. 
A  tunnel  was  run  in  from,  a  point  200  feet  below  the  croppings, 
cutting  the  ore  vein  at  a  distance  of  300  feet.  At  this  point 
the  ledge  was  found  to  be  dipping  at  an  angle  of  60°  to  the 
north,  the  course  of  the  vein  being  east  and  west.  At  the 
point  where  the  ore  was  first  encountered  in  the  tunnel,  it 
was  extracted  bj"  opening  a  large  chamber,  which  is  still  being 
continued,  and  at  the  present  time  extends  in  length  on  a  line 
with  the  vein  300  feet,  following  the  foot  wall  on  the  south 
Bide  across  the  vein  for  a  distance  of  170  feet,  with  ore  still  in 


131 

the  face  and  no  appearance  of  any  hanging  wall  as  yet.  The 
higliest  place  of  the  chamber  or  stope  is  70  feet  above  the 
tunnel,  through  the  entire  face  of  the  slope.  The  vein  looks 
well  and  yields  large  quantities  of  high  grade  ore.  The  ore 
has  run  from  $50  to  $364  per  ton.  An  eight-stamp  mill  is 
reducing  the  ore  on  the  Panuco  river  at  the  rate  of  ten  tons 
per  day.  The  mill  is  about  one  and  a  half  miles  from  the 
mine,  and  the  ore  is  transported  by  pack  mules  from  the  mine. 
This  mine  is  one  of  the  valuable  properties  of  Sinaloa,  and  is 
mostly  owned  by  Mexicans  residing  in  Mazatlan. 

The  Nuesti'ii  feefiores  mine  is  lociited  north-east  of  Co«ala, 
on  the  iCIota  Kivor,  near  the  source,  and  almost  on  the 
boundary  line,  and  is  owned  \)y  Manrieio  La  Madrid,  and  is 
about  20  miles  from  Cosala.  This  mine  contains  two  classes 
of  ore;  one  being  lead  and  silver,  while  the  other  is  free 
milhng  silver  ore.  The  depth  attained  is  about  200  feet. 
The  lead-bearing  ore  assays  about  $80  per  ton,  and  the  free- 
milling  ore  nearly  fl20,  on  an  average.  This  mine  is 
rejiorted  to  have  reached  a  "  bonanza  "  that  assays  as  high 
as  $1,000  j)er  ton.  An  attempt  was  lately  made  to  purchase 
this  mine  for  $500,000,  an  expert  having  been  seat  to  exam- 
ine the  property,  who  reported  very  favorably  upon  it.  A 
small,  four-stamp  prospecting  mill,  for  the  purpose  of  pros- 
l)ecting  the  mine,  has  been  reducing  the  ore,  and  the  result 
is  said  to  have  been  very  satisfactory.  This  is  an  old  mine, 
and  very  celebrated;  and  Mr,  Ward  tells  us  that  its  former 
owner,  Don  Francisco  Iriarte,  at  one  time  (in  1825)  refused 
an  otier  of  $1,000,000  for  the  privilege  of  working  this  mine 
for  three  years,  by  a  foreign  association.  The  mine  is  free 
from  water,  and  situated  at  a  considerable  elevation  above 
the  plain.  It  contains  a  vein  of  gold  of  considerable 
breadth,  and  its  former  reputation  was  fabulous. 

Barreteras  Mine. — This  mine  is  celebrated.  The  town 
of  Cosala  was  built  up  by  it,  and  a  church  founded  upon  its 
productions.  The  mine  has  produced  many  bonanzas, 
yielding  rich  results.  The  character  of  the  ore  is  native 
silver.  The  mine  is  developed  by  a  shaft  of  500  feet  in 
depth,  and  by  a  tunnel  over  1100  feet  in  length,  from  the 
side  of  the  mountain  into  the  heart  of  the  vein.  The  mine 
is  located  at  the  summit  of  the  mountain,  in  the  Sierra 
Madre,  distant  from  Cosala  about  six  miles  west.  The  view 
is  grand  from  this  point,  extending  over  a  hundred  miles,  as 
far  as  the  eye  can  reach,  over  mountain-tops.  The  vein  is 
about  two  feet  iu  ore  deposits.  It  reaches  only  six  or  eight 
inches  with  seams  of  native  silver,  that  are  extracted  by  the 


182 

barraton,  or  a  chisel.  The  pockets  reach,  sometimes,  20  or 
30  feet  along  the  vein  at  irregular  distances.  The  mine  is 
owned  and  worked  by  Mexicans.  The  character  of  the  rock 
surrounding  the  vein  is  a  granite  formation,  easily  worked. 
The  ore  is  smelted  by  furnaces.  The  ore  is  almost  virgin 
silver,  as  at  Batopilas.  The  lower  levels  are  filled  with 
water. 

At  one  extremity  of  the  district  of  Cosala  is  found  a  great 
number  of  gold  and  silver  bearing  quartz  mines  that  are  said 
to  be  very  rich.  The  ore  carrying  gold  is  mostly  free  mill- 
ing, and  the  mines  have  j'ielded  very  largely  in  the  past. 
They  have  been  worked  extensively  by  natives  and  Span- 
iards; but  on  reaching  water,  could  not  go  any  farther,  in 
the  absence  of  machinery,  and  the  mines  were  consequently 
abandoned,  after  a  large  expenditure  of  capital  upon  them. 
Another  cause  of  abandonment  was  continual  revolutions,  or 
organized  robbery,  that  forced  the  owners  to  pay  a  tribute 
on  their  wealth,  and  at  last  drove  them  away;  and  either 
fearing  to  return,  or  finding  lucrative  employment  and 
mines  elsewhere,  the  mines,  consequently,  became  entirely 
abandoned  and  filled  with  water. 

There  are  many  of  these  old  mines  closely  grouped  to- 
gether that  are  not  adjacent  to  any  settlements,  but  in  the 
midst  of  one  of  the  wildest  regions  of  the  mountains,  that 
is  hardly  ever  entered,  save  in  the  search  for  lost  cattle. 
A  good  wagon-road  may  be  constiucted  from  these  mines 
to  the  river,  and  reach  a  railroad  that  is  to  be  built,  passing 
within  15  miles  of  the  mines.  Wood  is  abundant,  and  water 
sufiicient  to  run  an  ordinary  mill  the  year  round. 

There  are  quite  a  number  of  extensive  veins  of  rich  gold 
and  silver  bearing  ores  in  this  region  that  have  yielded 
largely  wherever  they  have  been  worked,  within  a  radius 
of  12  miles,  and  all  contain  ores  easy  of  reduction. 

To  the  east  of  this  locality  is  located  another  rich  mineral 
region,  called  Vetillas,  from  the  large  number  of  rich  veins 
that  have  been  found  in  the  neighborhood.  The  ores  are 
more  uneven  and  rebellious;  but  the  location  is  good,  with 
a  perpetual  stream  passing  through  the  district  and  adjacent 
to  the  location  of  the  mines.  The  mountains  are  of  high 
elevation,  with  hard-wood  trees  covering  their  sides  that 
would  be  valuable  for  timbering  the  mines,  etc.  Here  are 
located  furnaces  for  smelting  the  ores,  which  were  aban- 
doned with  the  mines  by  the  former  owners. 

The  celebrated  Guadalupe  de  Los  Reyes  mine  is  located 
within  about  24  miles  of  these  antiquated  haciendas,  norfli- 


133 

east,  and  other  mines  that  are  being  worked  witli  i^ood 
results.  This  is  an  old  mining  region,  that  was  worked  by 
Spaniards  under  the  Spanish  regime;  but  the  owners  were 
obliged  to  flee  in  the  war  for  independence.  The  ruins  of 
ancient  arastras  and  furnaces  are  numerous,  and  prove  the 
locality  to  have  been  extensively  worked.  These  mines 
have  not  been  worked  for  about  70  years.  The  old  mill-site 
could  be  restored,  and  the  mines  reopened,  providing  an  ex- 
pert should  deem  the  enterprise  profitable.  The  arastras 
were  run  by  water  })ower,  and  the  veins  opened  as  close  as 
possible  to  the  stream,  which  naturally  filled  the  shafts  with 
water.  One  of  these  old  mines  was  called  Mina  de  Plata. 
The  residents  nearest  to  these  mines  report  that  they  were 
very  rich,  and  contained  bonanzas. 

The  adjacent  river  bottoms  are  planted  with  orange,  lime, 
and  plantain  trees  in  different  places,  with  other  tropical 
fruits. 

A  wagon-road  can  be  constructed  from  this  point  to  Ma- 
zatlau,  at  a  small  cost,  passing  through  or  near  large  rauchos 
that  are  cultivated  extensively,  producing  corn,  beans,  sugar- 
cane, and  other  productions.  This  region  is  located  north 
from  Mazatlan,  distant  about  70  miles. 

The  Palmarajo  is  another  old  district;  also,  the  ancient 
mining  district  situated  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State 
near  the  boundary  line  of  Sonora,  called  the  De  Chois  and 
Ycora  districts,  that  were,  at  one  time,  extensively  worked, 
and  contains  some  good  mines;  also,  the  celebrated  ancient 
mining  district  of  San  Jose  de  Gracias,  which  is  located  in 
the  midst  of  an  almost  inaccessible  mountainous  region,  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  State.  Since  their  abandonment 
years  ago,  they  have  scarcely  been  worked  but  by  gambu- 
cinos.     This  region  formerly  had  a  fabulous  reputation. 


CHIHUAHUA. 


CHAPTER  r. 
General     Description. 

The  State  of  Chihuahua  is  bounded  on  the  west  and  south 
by  Sonora,  west  by  Siualoa,  on  the  north  by  IsTew  Mexico 
and  Texas,  and  on  the  north-east  by  Texas  along  the  Rio 
Grande,  and  on  the  south  by  Sinaloa  and  Durango,  and  on 
the  east  by  Coahuila.  The  area  of  the  State  extends  over 
100,000  square  miles,  with  a  sparse  population  of  about 
190,000. 

The  state  is  divided  into  18  cantons  or  departments,  as 
follows:  Iturbide,  Aldama,  Abasolo,  Victorio,  Ros:des, 
Meoqui,  Morelos,  Bravos,  Hidalgo,  Alleude,  Camargo,  Balleza, 
Jimenez,  Guerrero,  Galeana,  Rayon,  Matamoras,  and  Ar- 
teaga. 

The  great  plateau  west  of  the  Rio  Grande  region  consists 
of  undulating  prairies,  with  here  and  there  a  conical  shaped 
hill,  and  extends  to  the  Sierra  Madre  mountains  on  the 
west  and  south-west.  There  are  some  depressions  in  the 
plains  which,  if  opened,  would  supply  water.  Then  we 
have  the  large  body  of  water  south-west  of  El  Paso,  known 
as  Lake  Guzman,  and  the  River  Mimbres.  This  river  rises 
in  tlie  Rocky  Mountains,  in  New  Mexico,  and,  after  cours- 
ing through  the  plateau,  discharges  itself  when  full  into 
Lake  Guzman.  It  seldom  reaches  the  lake,  however,  its 
waters  being  absorbed  or  lost  in  the  sandy  plains.  Its 
sources  have  never  been  traced  out,  as  far  as  known.  It 
must  flow  about  130  miles,  when  full. 

Lake  Guzman,  during  the  wet  season,  is  about  oO  miles 
long  and  from  five  to  six  miles  wide,  and  seldom  dries  out 
entirely,  although  it  is  almost  surrounded  by  sterile  tracts 
of  land  covered  with  sand  [)lains  and  alkali,  interspersed 
with  sand-hills.  It  is  located  about  60  miles  south-west  of 
El  Paso,  more  in  a  westerly  direction.  These  sand  plains 
extend  the  most  of  this  distance,  after  leaving  the  Rio 
Grande  region,  until  the  neighboring  lands  of  the  lake  are 
reached. 

13i 


135 

The  whole  water  system  of  the  state  embraces,  besides  Lake 
Guzman,  four  other  small  lakes  or  pools,  called  Maria,  Caude- 
laria,  St.  Martin,  and  Patos,  and  are  all  located  north  of  the 
central  part  of  the  state,  in  depressions  of  the  table  lands, 
with  the  exception  of  lakes  St.  Martin  and  Candelaria,  nearer 
the  center  and  south  and  south-west  of  the  sand  plains.     In 
the  mountain  ranges  and  spurs  of  the  Sierra  which  are  cut 
with  deep  gorges  and  canons,  and  which  are  located  in  the 
western,  south-western  and  southern  part  of  the  state,  there 
iire  many  mines  of  the  precious  and  useful  metals,  containing 
gold,  silver,    copper,  lead,    iron,  tin,   saltpeter,    bituminous 
coal,  and  cinnabar.    Tliis  region  is  aho  noted  for  forest  trees 
of  great  value  which  cover  the  mountain  sides,  especially 
near  the  water-courses  and  between  the  ranges.     The  Sierra 
Madre  range  extends   along    the  western    boundary  of  the 
state,  and  is  almost  impassable  except  at  the  northern  and 
western,   south-western,    and   southern,    part  of   the   state, 
through  the  canons  of  these  localities.     The  Mulatos  River, 
sometimes  called  the  Papigochi,  which  is  a  branch  of   the 
Yaqui  River  in  Sonora,  rises  in  the  Sierra  Madre,  south-west 
of  Cliihuahua  City,  and  flows  north-west  through  a  pass  in 
the  mountains  east  of,  and  near  Aribechi   iu  Sonora.     The 
tributuriesfrom  the  neighboring  valleys  flow  into  this  stream 
(Mulatos)  near  the  pass.     The  river  Buenaventura  also  rises 
in  the  Sierra  Madre  and  flows  north  of  the  Presidio  of  Bu- 
enaventura into  the  small  lake  or  pool  of  St.  Maria,  while 
iinotl)er  small  stream  loses  its  waters  in  the  table  lands  near 
the  Presidio  de  Janos,  which  is  connected  with  a  road  to 
Bapispe  in  Sonora  on  the  west,  about  40  miles  distant.     The 
river  Carmen  rises  vfest  of  lake  St.  Martin  and  empties  into 
lake  Putos   in   a   northerly  direction.     South-east   of    lake 
Patos  is  located  another  extensive  sand  and  alkali   plain  on 
the  table   lands  that  rcachc  to  the  hills  bordering  on  the 
valley  of  the  Rio  Grande  and  the  river  Conchos,  over  a  terri- 
tory of  about  I'iO  miles  long  and  40  wide.     The  latter  river 
has  many  tributaries  taking  their  rise  iu  the  mountains  south 
of  the  central  part  of  the  state,  and  flows  by  Santa  Rosalia, 
San  Pablo,  and  other  towns  in  a  northerly  course,  with  many 
windings,  into  the  Rio  Grande  at  the  Presidio   del  Norte, 
and  is  about  300  miles  long.     East  and  south-cast  of  tiie  riv- 
er Conchos  and  south  of  the  Rio  Grande  extends  the  vast 
desert  called  "  Bolson  de  Mapimi,''  which  embraces  all  the 
extreme  eastern  part  of  the  state  south  of   the  Rio  Grande 
iind  also  a  portion  of  the  state  of  Coahuila  on  the  east.     Iu 
this  plain  are  dried-up  lakes,  and  the  whole   is  completely 


136 

covered  up  with  a  vast  tract  of  sand  and  alkali  plains  which 
are  sterile  and  completely  deserted,  and  entirely  destitute  of 
water.  ^ear  the  rugged  sierras  are  mesquite  -  covered 
plains,  but  beyond  them  lies  the  vast  desert  of  Bolson  de 
Alapimi,  extending  over  250  miles  from  north  to  south  and 
100  miles  in  width,  through  which  no  traveler  ever  passes, 
as  the  road  to  Durango  and  Mexico  lies  to  the  south-west. 
Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  a  large  portion  of  Chihuahua  is 
absorbed  on  the  east  by  the  desert  lands,  and  north-east  and 
the  south-west  by  mountains  and  broken  regions,  the  latter 
taking  up  about  one-third  of  the  state,  and  the  former,  or 
about  one-i'ourth,  is  desert  wilds.  The  balance  of  the  region 
on  the  Mexican  side  of  the  Rio  Grande  to  the  Gulf  of  Mex- 
ico is  mountainous  through  Coahuila,  New  Leon,  and  Ta- 
maulipas,  bordering  on  table  lands  that  are  intersected  with 
rivers  flowing  through  small  valleys  into  the  Rio  Grande, 
and  is  very  sparsely  settled  until  the  slope  toward  the  gulf  is 
reached. 

On  the  Rio  Grande  is  located  Laredo  in  the  state  of  Ta- 
maulipas,  which  has  assumed  some  importance  on  account 
of  the  Mexican  Central  terminating  at  that  point,  passing 
through  Monterey,  ISTew  Leon,  and  other  cities  on  the  di.  ect 
route  to  Mexico  City. 

Mr.  Ruxton  says  that  "the  State  of  Chihuahua  produces 
gold,  silver,  copper,  iron,  saltpetre,  and  other  minerals;  but 
it  is  productive  of  mineral  wealth  alone,  for  the  soil  is  thin 
and  poor,  and  there  is  everywhere  a  scarcity  of  water;  but 
it  is  a  paradise  for  sportsmen.  In  the  sierras  and  mountains 
are  found  the  black  and  grizzly  bear  of  the  Rocky  Mount- 
ains, the  latter  of  which  is  very  abundant  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Chihuahua.  The  big  horn,  or  Rocky  Mountain 
sheep,  and  black-tailed  deer^  the  '  cola  prieta,'  (a  large  spe- 
cies of  fallow  deer)  a  species  of  pheasant  and  quail  in  abund- 
ance, and  birds  of  brilliant  plumage  are  found.  Among  the 
reptiles  are  the  rattlesnake  and  copper-head,  and  scorpion,  the 
latter  of  which  is  found  all  over  the  republic.  The  charac- 
teristic shrub  of  the  elevated  plains  of  Chihuahua  is  the 
mesquite,  a  species  of  acacia,  which  grows  to  the  height  of 
10  to  12  feet.  The  seeds  contained  in  a  small  pod  are  used 
by  the  Apaches  to  make  a  kind  of  bread  or  cake,  wliich  is 
sweet  or  succulent  to  the  taste.  The  wood  is  extremely 
hard  and  heavy. 

"  In  Durango  and  Chihuahua,  the  ranchos  are  supplied  with 
such  simple  goods  as  they  require  by  small  traders,  resident 
in  the  capitals  of  those  states,  who  trade  from  one  village  to 
8 


1H7 

another,  with  two  or  three  wagons,  wliicb,  when  their  goods 
are  sold,  they  freight  with  supplies  for  the  cities  or  mines." 
There  are  about  200  villages  and  towns  in  the  state,  the 
principal  ones  being  Chihuahua  and  El  Paso  del  Norte.  The 
former  is  the  capital,  and  is  located  south  of  the  central 
portion  of  the  state,  about  230  miles  from  El  Paso  del  Norte 
and  El  Paso  Texas  on  the  Rio  Grande. 

Soil,  Productions,  and  Grazing. 

The  soil  is  fertile,  especially  on  the  water  courses  between 
the  mountain  ranges  and  along  the  Rio  Grande.  Outside  of 
mining,  grazing  forms  the  jirincipal  pursuit;  though  the 
vine,  wheat,  corn,  peas,  lieans,  barley,  cotton,  and  sugar- 
cane, are  cultivated  to  some  extent.  This  is  a  great  grazing 
state,  abounding  in  stock,  which  are  disposed,  of  in  Texas 
and  Kentucky.  Good  grazing  is  found  on  the  table  lands  in 
many  places,  where  immense  herds  of  stock  of  all  kinds  are 
raised:  although  along  the  water-courses  the  best  grazing  is 
found.  Along  the  Las  Casas  Grandes,  and  Conclias,  and 
other  streams,  which  almost  entirely  disa[)pear  in  the  sands 
during  the  dry  season,  immense  herds  of  stock  are  raised. 
In  the  neighborhood  of  Chihuahua,  about  170  to  180  miles 
south-east  of  Lake  Guzman,  are  located  extensive  ranchos. 
One  of-  these  is  owned  1)3'  Don  Encinallas,  This  rancho  has 
about  300,000  head  of  cattle,  sheep,  horses  and  mules,  on  its 
grazing  lands.  Some  agricultural  productions  are  also  raised 
in  the  state  on  the  banks  of  the  streams  which  are  used  to 
irrigate  the  lands. 

The  mines  of  the  State  constitute  almost  its  sole  feature  of 
importance,  outside  of  the  grazing  or  raising  of  stock  on  the 
fertile  table  lands  and  banks  of  the  water-courses.  The 
climate  of  Chihuahua  is  varied;  cold  in  the  winter,  antl  in 
the  mountainous  districts  it  reaches  the  freezing  point;  and 
snow  falls  about  two  feet  deep.  In  the  valleys  the  tempera- 
ture varies  from  the  cool  and  pleasant  in  winter  to  heat 
in  the  extreme.  The  climate  of  the  state  on  the  whole  can 
be  said  to  be  much  cooler  than  cither  that  of  Souora  or 
Sinaloa. 


138 

CHAPTER  II. 
Chihuahua. 

The  city  of  Chihuahua  is  the  capital  of  the  State,  and  is 
located  west  of  the  Conchos  River  near  the  center  of 
the  state,  and  is  distant  from  Mexico,  in  a  direct  line, 
about  1,250  miles;  from  El  Paso,  in  a  south-west  direction, 
about  230  miles;  and  from  Guaymas,  by  way  of  Baleza,  in 
Chihuahua,  and  Alamos,  in  Souora,  500  miles.  It  is  reached 
by  a  stage  or  wagon  road  from  El  Paso,  on  the  north,  and 
Laredo  on  the  Rio  Grande,  on  the  east  in  Tamaulipas — the 
projected  terminus  of  the  Mexican  Central  R.  R. — byway 
of  Durango;  and  Mexico  on  the  south-east,  byway  of  Du- 
raugo,  a  direct  line  of  communication  being  opened  to  all 
of  these  points.  From  Alamos,  through  Batopilas,  it  is 
about  230  miles. 

The  road  through  to  Alamos  has  not  yet  been  put  into 
complete  condition  for  wagons;  hence,  the  most  of  the  travel 
in  that  direction  is  on  the  back  of  mules.  The  city  of  Chi- 
huahua was  built  toward  the  close  of  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tury, although  the  State  was  originally  inhabited  aud  occu- 
pied at  Las  Casas  Grandes  by  the  Aztecs  many  centuries 
ago.  No  one  knows  the  date,  farther  than  by  the  i-ecords 
of  the  ancients,  which  say  that  the  state  was  occupied  by 
the  Aztecs  at  that  place  in  1160,  or  over  seven  centuries 
ago. 

The  city  of  Chihuahua  is  well  laid  out,  with  the  streets 
crossing  each  other  at  right  angles.  They  are  broad,  well 
paved,  and  kept  quite  clean.  The  square  called  the  Plaza 
Mayor  is  quite  extensive,  and  ornamented  on  one  side  by 
the  famous  cathedral,  which  has  been  pronounced  by 
American  traders  to  be  one  of  the  finest  structures  in  the 
world.  This  building  cost  $800,000,  and  is  constructed  of 
brown  stone  masonry.  It  is  surmounted  with  a  dome  and 
two  towers,  and  is  in  imitation  of  the  modern  Gothic, 
mingled  with  the  Moorish  style  of  architecture.  It  is  a 
large  building,  having  a  handsome  fa9ade  embellished  with 
statues  of  the  Twelve  Apostles. 

On  the  otner  side  of  the  Plaza,  there  are  public  and  pri- 
vate buildings,  including  the  ancient  State  House. 

The  unfinished  Convent  of  San  Francisco  also  looms  up 
from  the  other  buildings,  a  "  conspicuous  mass  of  masonry  and 
bad  taste,"  says  Mr.  Ruxton.  In  the  center  of  the  plaza, 
which  is  adorned  with  flowers  and  orange  aud  other  trop- 


139 


ical  trees  and  shrubs,  a  beautiful  fountain  plays  day  and 
night,  wliich  is  supplied  with  water  continually  by  a  well- 
constructed  aqueduct  a  little  over  three  miles  Ions:,  wliich 
carries  water  from  a  tributary  of  the  Conchos  Hiver  or 
stream.  This  aqueduct  supplies  the  town  with  water,  and 
is  supported  on  several  stupendous  arcades,  which  adds 
much  to  the  massive  architecture  in  the  town. 

The  large  cathedral  was  built  out  of  the  jiroceeds  from 
one  mine  in  the  vicinit}^  which  struck  a  bonanza  that  con- 
tinued for  nine  years,  and  was  apparently  inexhaustible. 
One  real  was  laid  aside  for  each  marc  of  silver  produced, 
and  a  fund  was  formed,  out  of  which  this  magiiilicent  cathe- 
dral of  Chihuahua  was  built,  and  a  reserve  fund  formed  of 
$100,000.  A  mint  is  also  located  here.  Much  trade  is  car- 
ried on  between  this  city  and  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  St. 
Louis,  and  Santa  F6.  It  is  also  the  resort  of  many  strangers 
from  New  Mexico,  California,  Texas,  Sonora,  and  Sinaloa. 
The  city  contains  about  18,000  inhabitants.  The  Jesuit 
Convent  of  San  Francisco  before  mentioned  is  celebrated  as 
having  been  the  place  of  confinement  of  the  patriot  Hidalgo, 
the  Mexican  Hampden,  who  was  executed  in  a  yard  behind 
the  building,  m  1811.  A  monument  has  been  erected  to 
his  memory  in  the  Plaza  de  .Armas,  and  is  a  pyramid  of 
stone,  with  an  inscription  eulogistic  of  liis  character  and 
patriotic  record. 

The  shops  are  filled  with  goods  from  the  various  points 
before  mentioned,  and  it  is  not  unusual  to  find  the  finest  of 
imported  silks,  and  other  costly  articles  from  Europe  and 
India,  Traders  arriving  in  Chihuahua  either  sell  their 
goods  in  bulk  to  resident  merchants,  or  open  out  a  store  on 
their  own  account.  The  goods  arc  brought  across  the  bor- 
der from  the  United  States  in  wagons;  and  some  years  ago, 
a  law  was  passed  by  the  state,  charging  a  duty  of  $500  for 
each  wagon-load,  without  taking  into  account  the  value  or 
nature  of  the  articles.  The  result  was,  that  one  wagon  was 
made  to  carry  three  loads,  to  evade  the  duty  on  two  loads. 
This  has  been  abolished  since,  we  understand,  and  the  laws 
relating  to  duties  are  general  throughout  the  republic.  The 
<;ity  of  Chihuahua  supi)lie.s  all  the  surrounding  country. 

lias  Casas  Grandes  and  its  Legend. 

The  famous  Las  Casas  Grandes,  or  Great  Houses,  are 
located  towards  the  north-western  part  of  the  state,  on  the 
west  bank  of  the  Las  Casas  Grandes  Uiver,  which  Hows  into 


140 


Kio  los  Conchos.  Here  lie,  decomposing  and  moldering  un» 
dei"  the  luxuriance  of  vegetable  growth,  the  ruins  of  Aztec 
greatuess. 

A  legend  is  related  by  Spanish  liistorians  of  the  migration 
of  the  Aztecs  to  Chihuahua  and  Arizona,  where  a  portion 
also  located  and  built  the  Casas  Graudes,  ruins  of  which  are 
now  seen  in  that  territory.  The  legend  is  found  in  the  work 
of  Antonio  Garcia  Cubas,  and  in  the  works  of  many  other 
Spanish  writers,  and  is  as  follows: 

'Iluitziton,  a  person  of  great  authority  among  the  Az- 
tecs, heard  in  the  branches  of  a  tree  the  trilUng  of  a  small 
bird,  which  in  its  song  repeated  the  sound  'tihuc,'  the  lit- 
eral meaning  of  which  is,  'let  us  go.'  Iluitziton  being 
struck  at  this,  and  communicating  his  impressions  to  another 
personage,  called  Tecpaltzin,  they  both  induced  the  Aztecs 
to  leave  their  country,  interpreting  the  song  as  a  mandate 
from  divinity.  Even  to  the  present  laj^  there  is  a  bird 
known  among  the  Mexicans  by  the  name  of  '  Tihuitochan' 
(Let  us  go  home). 

''In  1160  they  commenced  their  peregrination,  and  passing 
by  a  large  river  in  which  historians  concur  in  being  the 
Colorado  and  which  discharges  itself  into  the  Gulf  of  Cali- 
fornia, thej^  advanced  toward  the  river  Gila,  after  remaining 
for  some  time  at  a  place  known  to-day  by  the  name  of  Casa 
Grande,  not  far  from  the  shores  of  tliat  river.  From  thence 
they  continued  their  road  and  again  took  up  quarters  at  a 
place  to  the  north-west  of  Chihuahua,  now  called  like  the 
previous  stopping  place.  Las  Casas  Grandes,  and  whose  ruins 
show  the  vast  proportions  of  the  ancient  building  and  fort- 
ress. Leaving  behind  them  the  wide  "  Sierra  de  la  Tara- 
humara,"  they  afterward  went  tollueycolhuacan,  now  Culia- 
can,  capital  of  the  state  of  Sinaloa,  and  there  remained  for 
three  years,  during  which  time  they  made  the  statue  of 
their  god  Huitzilopochtli,  which  was  to  accompany  them  in 
their  expedition. 

"During  their  peregrination  the  tribe  was  divided  into  two 
factions,  one  faction  settling  on  a  sandy  promontory  calle  1 
Tlaltelolco.  The  name  of  Mexico  was  given  to  the  new  city, 
in  honor  of  their  god  who  was  born  of  a  virgin  belonging  to 
the  family  of  Citli,  and  he  was  cradled  in  the  heart  of  a 
maguey  plant  (or  metl);  hence  the  name  'Mecitli,'  tifter- 
ward  changed  into  'Mexico.'  The  popular  drink  of  the 
Mexican  people  is  made  from  this  same  plant,  and  is  called 
'mescal,'  a  strong  intoxicating  liquor." 

From  the  appearance   of  the  Las  Casas  Grandes  or  the 


141 


great  houses,  it  would  seem  that  their  outer  proportions  were 
the  lowest,  and  not  above  one  story  high;  while  the  central 
ones  were  from  three  to  six  stories  high.  The  ruins  are  con- 
structed of  adobe,  though  these  are  mucli  larger  than  those 
ill  use  among  the  Mexicans  at  the  present  day.  From  a 
report  touching  a  close  examination  of  Las  Casas  Grandes,  it 
is  to  be  inferred  that  they  occupied  a  space  of  at  least  800 
feet  from  north  to  south,  and  from  east  to  west  near  250. 
On  the  south  side  a  regular  and  continuous  wall  or  fortifica- 
tion may  be  traced,  while  the  eastern  and  western  fronts  are 
extremely  irregular,  leaving  projecting  walls.  Within  the 
inclosure  there  appear  to  have  been  several  court-yards  of 
greater  or  less  dimensions.  Las  Casas  Grandes  here  resem- 
ble those  near  the  Pimo  villages  on  the  Gila  in  Arizona. 
The  town  near,  of  the  same  name,  has  about  1,500  inhabit- 
ants. 


CHAPTER  III. 
RIO    GRANDE    REGION. 

Near  El  Paso  del  Norte  there  is  a  good  agricultural  coun- 
try. This  town  is  located  in  the  extreme  north-western 
portion  of  the  state  on  the  Rio  Grande.  The  products  of 
this  region  are  grapes,  fruit,  wheat,  Indian  corn,  and  other 
cereals.  The  bottom  lands  along  the  Rio  Grande  are  ex- 
tremely rich,  and  extend  back  from  the  river  about  one 
mile;  beyond  this  rolling  hills  into  the  table-lands,  which  con- 
tinue until  broken  by  the  valleys  of  the  four  lakes  and  their 
streams  before  mentioned.  About  70  or  80  miles  from  El 
Paso  del  Norte,  in  the  interior,  in  a  southern  direction,  the 
laud  is  sterile,  as  before  mentioned.  Then  as  the  country 
nears  Baranca,  a  small  town  situated  east  of  Las  Casas 
Grandes,  the  country  grows  better,  and  the  soil  extremel}' 
rich,  in  places.  South  of  these  sand  plains  there  is  a  good 
grazing  countr}'.  There  is  no  water  to  be  found  near  these 
sand  plains,  and  water  has  to  be  carried  in  crossing  them. 
The  Rio  Grande  region  extends  along  the  Rio  Grande  the 
whole  extent  of  the  north-western  boundaiy,  and  small 
towns  are  occasionally  met  with  on  the  road,  among  which 
may  be  mentioned  El  Presidio  del  Norte,  and  San  Vicente. 
Much  stock  is  raised  all  along  this  region,  and  some  agricul- 
tural productions. 


142 
From  El  Paso  to  the  City  of  Chihuahua. 

Mr.  Julius  Froebel  recounts  as  follows  a  trip  from  El  Paso 
to  Chihuahua  City  in  1859.  He  was  in  corapanj^  with  some 
merchants,  and  we  give  his  description  for  the  benefit  of  our 
readers: 

"  For  the  first  five  or  six  days  journey  from  El  Paso  to 
Chihuahua,  a  choice  of  two  roads  is  presented.  The  one 
is  considerably  shorter,  but  dangerous  and  diflicult,  as  it 
takes  a  southern  direction  over  the  notorious  raedauos,  or 
quicksand  hills,  the  other  avoids  these  by  following  the 
course  of  the  river  two  days  journey'  as  far  as  the  village 
Guadalupe,  and  again  joins  the  high  road  somewhat  to  the 
north  of  Carrizal.'  We  chose  the  last,  and  our  caravan  pro- 
ceeded down  the  yallej'  to  Guadalupe. 

The  road,  at  first,  passed  close  along  the  base  of  the  allu- 
vial terrace,  through  thickets  of  mezquite  and  a  scrivbby 
plant  of  the  order  of  compositae,  then  it  wound  up  the  ter- 
race, which  consists  of  sand-gravel  and  fragments  of  rocks 
overgrown  witli  mezquite,  larrea,  fouquiera,  artemesia,  shrub- 
by labiate,  cacti  ^aiccas,  etc.  In  some  places  the  river  bad 
formed  its  cliaimel  close  to  the  terrace,  forming  a  perpendic- 
ular sand  clifl:",  rendering  the  road  at  its  very  edge  in  no 
slight  degree  dangerous." 

The  town  of  Guadalupe  is  reached  in  three  days  travel 
from  El  Paso.  About  six  miles  lower  down  the  river,  a  new 
village  named  San  Ygnacio  has  been  founded  by  the  settle- 
ment of  New  Mexico  immigrants. 

From  hence  (Guadalupe,)  the  Sierra  de  Cantarrecioon  the 
left  and  the  Sierra  Guadalupe  on  the  right,  the  road  rises 
gradually  to  the  higher  ground  south  of  the  Rio  Grande. 
The  space  between  the  above  named  mountains  is  a  plain 
rising  somewhat  to  the  south,  and  covered  with  the  common 
chapparral  of  these  localities.  At  noon  we  stopped  at  Can- 
tarrecio,  a  watering-place,  where  we  found  only  a  tittle  mud- 
dy water.  In  the  evening,  when  dark,  we  passed — turning 
to  the  west,  by  a  slow  ascending  [)lain  of  firm  clayey  soil, 
which  contracted  to  a  small  mountain  pass — the  chain  of  hills, 
by  which  the  terrace  of  Centarrecio  is  separated  from  that  of 
the  medanos,  and  encamped  for  the  night  on  the  opposite 
side,  on  a  grass  covered  plain.  The  mountain  peaks,  near 
the  pass,  are  bare,  rocky  and  in  some  places  of  grotesque 
form.  On  the  right  an  opening  passes  through  the  rock 
from  one  side  of  the  mountain  to  the  other,  and  one  of  our 
Mexican  drivers  told  me  that  this  part  of  the  mountain  is 


143 

named  from  this  circumstance  Sierra  de  la  Ventana,  "  Win- 
dow Mountain.',  This  name,  however,  did  not  appear  to  be 
generally  used,  for  a  gentleman,  who  had  accompanied  us 
from  E!  Paso,  called  it  Sierra  de  los  Medanos,  or  Sandhill 
Mountain.  Behind  this  road,  as  we  approached  it  from  the 
East,  the  needles  and  peaks  of  the  Sierra  de  la  Rancheria, 
which  heai-s  a  striking  resemblance  to  the  Sierra  de  las  Or- 
ganos.  Farther  on  eastward  appears  another  similar  mount- 
ain group  called  Sierra  del  Caudelario.  In  the  plain  at  the 
back  of  the  former  are  the  Charcos  del  Grado,  pools  sur- 
rounded by  mimbre  bushes.  (Mimbre  is  a  beautiful  shrub 
which  in  Northern  Mexico,  from  Rio  Grande  to  California, 
flourishes  on  the  banks  of  intermitting  streams.  It  is  a 
biquoniaceous  plant,  with  ))iuk  and  wliite  blossoms,  and  long 
pendant  lanceolate  leaves — a  chilopsis.) 

In  the  afternoon  we  distinguished  as  we  thought,  the  smoke 
of  five  fires  in  a  southerly  direction,  but  the  next  day  we  dis- 
covered that  they  had  been  clouds  of  dust  caused  by  whirl- 
winds. In  the  evening  we  advanced  over  a  level  plain 
towards  a  mountain  chain  of  perpendicular  rocks,  anong 
which  one  remarkably  angular  and  definod  in  its  form,  the 
Cerro  de  Lucerr  o  attracts  attention.  We  encamped  next 
morning  at  Ojo  de  Lucerro,  a  spring  near  the  Laguna  de  las 
Patos.  This  is  a  lake  on  the  left  of  the  road.  The  plain  is 
mostly  covered  with  grass,  but  near  the  Cerro  de  Lucerro 
tracts  of  clay  or  sand  are  covered  with  an  eftervescence  appa- 
rently of  carbonate  of  soda. 

One  road,  at  least,  took  us  over  places  of  this  nature,  and 
from  aj)pearances,  it  seemed  probable  that,  to  the  right  of 
the  road,  they  existed  to  a  considerable  extent.  It  was  over 
this  portion  of  tlie  plain,  that  we  had  seen,  and  now  saw 
more  closely,  those  columns  of  dust.  Their  recurrence  in 
the  same  locality  may  be  accounted  for  by  the  nature  otthe 
soil. 

At  no  great  distance  from  the  Ojo  de  Lucerro  we  met  with 
another  spring,  Ojo  del  Coyote,  remarkable  as  rising  in  the 
summit  of  a  sandhill  about  twenty  or  thirty  feet  high.  This 
curious  circumstance  is  however  easily  explained,  the  sand- 
hill i)eing  built  up  by  the  spring.  It  is  surrounded  by  the 
same  kind  of  efflorescence.  The  Mexicans  call  this  salt, 
which  they  collect  for  soap-boiling,  "Tequesquite,"  evi- 
dently an  Aztec  word.  A  few  miles  farther,  at  no  great  dis- 
tance from  the  Lagnno  de  los  Patos,  a  warm  spring  rises  in 
several  eddies  from  the  white  sand.  It  form'^  a  clear,  tepid 
brook,  which  flows  into  a  piece  of  water,  surrounded  by  tall 


144 

reetls,  on  the  side  of  tlio  roacl,  This  place  was  frequented 
by  numbers  ot  waterfowl — ducks,  coots  and  a  largo  black, 
web-footed  bird,  with  very  long  legs,  long  neck  and  long  bill, 
called  by  the  Mexicans  "  Gallareda."  They  flew,  when  dis- 
turbed, in  wedge-shaped  flocks,  with  outstretched  necks, 
like  geese.  The  spring  and  piece  of  water  are  called  Ojo  de 
la  Laguna.  The  water  is  slightly  alkali,  and  a  white  efflor- 
escence collected  at  its  edge.  In  eight  days  travel  Carrizal  is 
reached. 

The  situation  of  Carrizal  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  on 
the  North  Mexican  table  land.  An  extensive  plain,  watered 
by  several  streams,  is  surrounded  in  the  distance  by  a  girdle 
of  bare,  steep  mountains.  A  clear  mountain  stream,  dis- 
pensing fertility  to  field  and  meadow  in  its  course,  flows 
through  lands  between  varied  banks  for  miles  through  the 
plain,  its  course  marked  by  rows  of  poplars.  Twenty  years 
ago  herds  of  many  hundreds  of  thousands  of  cattle  grazed 
upon  the  plain;  now  they  have  dwindled  to  the  mere  shadow 
of  their  former  numbers,  and,  comparing  this  locality  with 
the  wealth  it  was  known  formerly  to  possess,  the  conclusion 
is  irresistable  that,  of  all  destructive  animals,  man  is  the 
worst.  The  place,  indeed,  is  full  of  ruins,  and  lies  on  a 
raised  platform,  consisting  of  hard  red  clay,  with  pebbles 
and  fragments  of  sandstone,  evidently  changed  by  the  influ- 
ence of  heat;  black  sloamaceous  lava,  yellow  and  green 
sienna,  much  resembling  pumice,  and  numerous  pebbles  of 
chalcedon.  The  country  is  bare  of  trees,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  poplars  along  the  irrigating  canals,  so  that  they 
are  literally  the  only  trees  visible  throughout  the  whole 
journey  from  the  Rio  Grande  to  Chihuahua.  We  reached 
towards  evening,  two  days  later,  a  warm  spring  of  rather 
high  temperature,  named  Ojo  Caliente,  which  rises  at  the 
base  of  a  group  of  phonolitic  hills.  The  water,  which  is  clear 
and  pure  in  taste,  forms  a  considerable  stream,  but  I  am 
not  sure  whether  it  reaches  the  Laguna  de  los  Patos,  or  is 
retained  in  the  plain  for  purposes  of  irrigation.  Numerous 
fish  sported  in  its  waters. 

We  traveled  next  day  from  morning  till  evening  between 
bare  mountains,  over  rocky,  treeless,  but  grass-covered  hills, 
and  passed  a  portion  of  the  night  on  the  broad,  level  pass  of 
Chinate,  a  notorious  place,  where  numerous  bones  of  men 
and  animals  warned  ns  not  to  leave  hold  of  our  arms.  Many 
parties  of  travelers  have  been  attacked  here  by  the  Indians, 
with  much  loss  of  life..  The  rocks  consist  of  a  green  and 
grey  hard  phonolitic  porphyry.     We  started  at  two  o'clock 


1  15 

in  the  morning,  in  order  to  reach  tbe  Lagnna  tie  Encinillas 
without  a  halt.  Toward  eight  o'clock  we  came  to  a  descent 
in  the  rocks  which,  from  the  name  of  a  hacienda  on  theotlier 
side  of  the  mountain,  is  called  the  descent  of  Agua  Xueva, 
and  leads  to  the  lower  level  of  the  lake.  The  hacienda  of 
Agua  Nueva  is  one  of  the  few  large  grazing  estates  in  ISTorth 
Mexico,  where  the  herds  still  exist  on  the  old  Mexican  scale 
of  cattle  keeping. 

As  we  descended  the  hill,  the  largest  herd  of  antelopes 
passed,  that  I  have  ever  seen.  It  must  have  numbered 
more  than  1,000,  and  extended  from  one  mountain  to  another 
straight  across  the  valley,  vanishing  as  quick  almost  as 
thought  from  our  sight.  The  plain  in  which  the  Lake  of 
Encinillas  lies,  is  surruounded  by  steep  mountains,  and  is 
one  of  the  richest  and  most  valuable  localities  in  the  world  for 
cattle  grazing,  in  times  past  supporting  i numerable  herds; 
now  it  is  almost  a  dessert.  The  trip  consumed  fourteen 
days. 

Los  Medanos. 

The  medanos  or'sand-hillls  are  a  peculiar  feature  of  the 
northern  part  of  Chihuahua,  and  are  encountered  on  the  road 
from  El  Paso  to  Chihuahua  City.  These  hills  stretch  in  a 
line  from  northwest  to  southeast  for  some  twenty  miles,  and 
are  about  six  miles  across  from  northeast  to  southwest, 
Nearly  destitute  of  vegetation,  their  light  yellow-wbitisli 
appearance  presents  a  strong  contrast  to  the  deep  brown  of 
the  adjacent  mountains  during  the  dry  season.  This  sand  is 
very  light  and  fine  and  forms  deep  ridges  resembling  the 
waves  of  tbe  ocean,  which  are  continually  shifted  about  by 
the  winds,  entirely  obliterating  the  tracks  of  jiassing  caravans 
or  stage.  The  whitened  bones  of  mules  and  cattle  project 
here  and  there  from  the  pand,  with  an  occasional  carcase 
which  was  dried  up  before  the  wolves  discovered  it. 
Altbough  this  route  is  the  shortest  by  some  sixty  miles  it  is 
invariably  avoided  by  trains  or  loaded  wagons.  Tbese,take 
the  river  ronte  which  passes  entirely  beyond  their  farthest 
southern  extremity.  Persons  on  horseback,  i)ack-mulesand 
light  pleasure  wagons,  or  the  stage,  alone  attempt  to  cross 
the  hills.  This  place  is  also  attended  with  great  danger 
from  the  attacks  of  the  Apaches,  who  well  know  the  helpless 
condition  of  animals  passing  and  take  the  opportunity  to  at- 
tack parties.  • 

From  Correlitos  there  is  no  other  road  to  El  Paso  for  wag- 
ons, except  by  making  a  complete  circuit  around  these  hills. 


14G 

This  point  is  one  of  tlie  favorite  places  of  attack  of  the 
Apaches,  and  is  peculiarly  dangerous  on  account  of  the  late 
hostile  demonstrations  by  these  murderous  bands  of  savages. 
Travelers  are  warned  to  avoid  this  point  of  all  others  while 
traveling  through  Chihuahua. 

From  Chihuahua  to  Durango. 

The  distance  between  the  cities  of  Chihuahua  and  Durango 
is  from  390  to  400  miles.  The  most  of  this  distance  is  only 
traveled  by  mule  pack  trains,  although  a  wagon  road  could 
be  easily  opened.  The  direct  route  leads  through  small 
towns  and  villages.  The  trail  takes  a  southeast  direction 
over  the  plain,  about  40  miles  when  a  small  pond  or  lake 
called  La  Cieneguilla  and  a  small  stream  that  empties  into 
the  Rio  Elorido  a  branch  of  the  Rio  Conchos,  about  30  miles 
traveled,  reaches  the  rancho  Alaraito,  which  is  situated 
about  8  to  10  miles  from  the  banks  of  another  stream  empty- 
ing into  the  Florido.  A  stretch  of  about  55  miles  takes  the 
traveler  to  Hidalgo,  at  one  time  quite  an  important  town. 
The  trail  then  continues  almost  due  south  to  San  Jose  del 
Parral,  distant,  about  35  miles.  Here  the  line  of  travel  takes 
a  southwest  course,  crossing  the  headwaters  of  the  Rio 
Florido,  about  25  miles  further.  The  Fuerte  Cerro  Gordo 
is  reached  about  8  miles  beyond.  The  distance  to  Las  Pin- 
oles is  near  fifty  miles,  over  a  dry  barren  region.  The  trail 
following  the  same  course,  it  here  takes  a  southerly  course 
to  Fuerte  de  Gallo,  nearly  30  miles  distant,  35  miles  fur- 
ther reaches  the  Rio  Mapimi,  near  which  is  located  on  the 
road  the  rancho  San  Lorenzo.  Crossing  the  valley  of  the 
Mapimi,  taking  a  southerly  course,  brings  us  to  Cueucarae, 
a  stretch  of  40  miles. 

Cuencame  is  a  busy  little  place,  whose  industry  makes  it 
flourishing.  Large  smelting  furnaces  are  hero  in  operation 
for  the  smelting  of  the  ores  of  silver  which  abound  in  the 
mountains.  The  furnaces  are  well  built,  of  brick,  on  the 
English  plan.  The  inhabitants  are  engaged  at  their  differ- 
ent occupations  in  the  most  assiduous  manner,  quite  differ- 
ent from  most  Mexican  villagers.  It  is  fifty  leagues  to 
Din-ango  in  a  southwest  direction.  The  first  portion  of  the 
road  is  over  a  range  of  volcanic  hills,  and  the  latter  is  along 
an  elevated  table  land.  It  is  easy  for  the  traveler  to  come 
from  Eagle  Pass,  on  the  Rio  Qrande,  to  Cuencame  by  wagon, 
but  to  Durango  from  this  place  a  good  riding  mule  or  sure- 
footed horse  is  much  better,  and  for  the  conveyance  of  bag- 


Ill 

ga^^G  ;);ic'k  nnimal^;  will  l)e  necessary.  Animals  can  be 
purchased  cheaiily  at  Cuencamc,  and  those  that  are  used  to 
stroiii;,  rocky  groiind,  as  the  country  there  is  very  <^ravolly. 
The  first  twenty  miles  after  leaving  Cucncame  are  pretty 
rough  traveling  and  bring  us  to  a  stock-raising  rancho, 
where  plenty  of  mules  are  bred  of  a  fine  qu;ility.  Here 
water  is  elevated  to  the  surface  bj'^  a  drum  proi^jlled  by 
mule  [)ower.  Twenty  miles  north  of  this  place  is  a  vallc}' 
where  cotton  is  raised,  and  where  there  are  eorae  factories 
at  work  manufacturing  the  "manta,"  an  unbleached  cotton 
cloth  much  used  by  the  Mexicans.  It  is  a  flourishing  little 
place.  From  here  the  road  leads  over  a  valley  covered 
with  a  growth  of  the  vinasgas,  whose  fruit  is  mnch  relished 
by  the  [leople  of  the  conotry.  The  valley  also  affords  fine 
grazing,  but  water  and  timber  are  very  scarce.  Twenty-five 
miles  takes  us  to  a  fine  prairie,  at  the  lowest  part  of  which 
is  a  deserted  rancho  called  El  Saucito,  or  "The  Willow." 
A  large  willow  tree  shading  a  spring  of  cool,  refreshing 
water  gives  tlic  place  its  name.  From  El  Saucito  to  El 
.SaiiJi  is  twelve  miles,  over  a  high  country  slightly  timbered. 
El  Sauz  is  in  sight  for  ten  miles  before  reaching  it.  This  is 
a  stock  and  grain  rancho,  as  is  also  Laguua,  twelve  miles  on 
the  road,  where  a  lake  or  lagoon  is  found.  The  next  forty 
miles  of  road  are  over  an  undulating  country.  There  are 
four  miles  of  road  in  one  place  so  stony  that  yon  are  forced 
to  dismount  and  lead  your  mule.  It  appears  that  a  hail 
storm  of  stones  had  tallen  on  those  four  miles.  Beyond  this 
bad  road  are  some  water  wells,  but  the  water  is  brackish.  A 
little  further  on  is  the  haicenda  of  Los  Chonos,  or  the  Wa- 
ter Spout,  where  water  flows  abundantly  out  of  the  ground. 
This  is  really  a  fine  jilace,  built  of  solid  masonry  and  white- 
washed. There  are  large  droves  of  sheep  and  mules  on  this 
rancho  The  residence  of  the  "  Amo,"  or  owner,  is  a  pretty 
piece  of  architectnre,  the  colonades  being  in  the  Corinthian 
style  and  all  else  about  it  showing  unusual  refinement.  The 
country  around  Los  Chonos  is  thickly  wooded  with  mesquit 
and  the  soil  rich.  One  or  two  farms  may  be  discovered  in 
the  clearings.  From  this  place  to  Durango  is  thirty  miles. 
Three  leagues  from  Durango  is  the  crossing  of  the  Rio  de 
Hautrnipi,  near  which  is  situated  a  fine  hacienda,  but  it  is 
not  visible  from  the  road.  Between  this  one  and  Durango 
is  a  large  haicenda,  said  to  be  one  of  the  richest  in  the  State. 
From  here  a  fine  road  leads  into  Durango,  which  is  seen  at 
a  distance  from  the  plain. 


148 

El    Paso  del  Norte. 

This  town  was  named  from  tlie  ford  on  the  river  and  the 
pass  between  the  mountains,  and  literally  means  the  "pas- 
sage of  the  nor:h."  This  is  the  oldest  settlement  in  the 
northern  part  of  Mexico.  A  mission  was  established  here 
by  El  Padre  Fray  Augustiii  E,niz,  one  of  the  Franciscan 
monks,  about  1585.  The  colony  was  composed  of  twelve 
families  from  Old  Castile,  under  the  leadership  of  Don  Juan 
Ouate.  Several  years  after  the  first  settlement  the  Spanish 
colonists  of  JSTew  Mexico  were  driven  to  this  settlement, 
where  they  erected  a  fortification  and  maintained  themselves 
until  the  arrival  of  reinforcements  from  Mexico.  The  pop- 
ulation of  the  place  has  not  increased  much  since  the  year 
1848,  as  there  were  then  5,000  to  6,000  inhabitants  —  about 
the  same  number  as  now.  The  colony  divided  the  lands 
bordering  the  banks  of  the  river,  into  small  plats  of  twenty 
acres  each,  and  gave  one  to  each  family,  on  which  they  raised 
corn,  potatoes,  beans,  and  vegetables,  and  planted  small 
vineyards  and  fruit  trees;  and  the  river  was  dammed  up  in 
dry  seasons,  about  a  mile  above  the  ford,  and  water  con- 
veyed by  an  aqueduct  or  main  canal  to  irrigate  the  bottom 
lauds.  The  whole  settlement  was  intersected  in  every  direc- 
tion with  dikes.  They  manufactured  the  grapes  into  wine 
and  brandy,  or  "  aguadiente,"  the  latter  of  which  is  much 
esteemed  in  Chihuahua  and  Durango.  Under  proper  man- 
agement, wine-making  here  might  become  a  very  profitable 
branch  of  industry,  for  the  soil  is  especiall}-  adapted  for  the 
vine,  and  the  interior  is  supplied  with  French  wines  at  an 
enormous  price.  Wine  may  be  made  of  the  El  Paso  grape, 
equal  to  the  best  growth  of  France  or  Spain.  The  river 
bottom  is  timbered  with  cottonwoods,  where  it  is  not  culti- 
vated for  a  few  hundred  yards  on  each  side  of  the  stream. 

The  town  of  El  Paso  del  Xorte  is  located  opposite  the 
town  of  El  Paso,  Texas,  on  the  American  side,  and  runs 
down  the  river  about  three  miles,  and  back  one  mile.  The 
region  is  thickly  settled  for  several  miles  farther  down,  and 
back  five  miles  from  the  river.  There  are  a  number  of 
vineyards  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  The  town  has  two 
or  three  principal  streets,  on  which  most  of  the  business  is 
transacted.  The  streets  are  narrow,  irregular  and  dusty. 
The  houses  are  built  of  adobe,  and  the  windows  are  barred 
with  iron  gratings.  The  doors  are  fastened  with  wooden 
bars  inside,  and  are  clumsy  afi'airs.  Carts  with  large  wheels, 
hewn  from  logs,  are  still  used  here — the  same  clumsy  and 
heavy  vehicles  so  often  seen  in  Mexico. 


149 


This  town,  although  presenting  a  somewhat  unsightly  ap- 
pearance to  the  visitor,  is  destined  to  be  one  of  great  im- 
portance, and  will  soon  serve  as  the  distributing  point  for 
the  whole  of  north-western  Mexico,  including  Sonora,  Chi- 
huahua, Sinaloa,  and  Duraugo,  on  the  completion  of  the  rail- 
roads centering  here. 

The  Rio  Grande  River  is  a  shallow,  muddy,  sluggish 
stream,  and  not  over  two  or  three  feet  deep  at  this  point, 
during  the  dry  season,  but  assumes  large  proportions  in  the 
wet  season.  The  banks  are  low  and  sandy,  and  the  course 
of  the  stream  often  changes,  and,  for  this  reason,  the  towns 
on  its  banks  are  mostly  situated  high  up  on  its  banks  and 
on  the  neighboring  plateaus  or  bluffs.  The  water  in  the 
river  is  very  good  for  drinking  and  cooking  purposes,  and 
not  so  impregnated  with  alkali  as  the  well  water  in  use  by 
the  inhabitants. 

The  river,  at  this  point,  is  small,  but  in  the  time  of  the 
rainy  season  it  swells  to  six  times  its  width  in  the  dry  sea- 
son. It  isfordable  in  almost  any  part,  butfrom  the  shifting 
bars  and  quicksands,  the  [»assage  is  always  difficult  for  load- 
el  wagons,  and  often  very  dangerous.  The  stream  abounds 
in  large  fish  of  an  excellent  flavor,  and  large  eels.  During 
the  rainy  season  the  ford  is  crossed  by  a  ferry-boiit.  The 
settlements  extend  down  the  river  some  distance,  in  little 
groups  or  towns,  for  some  15  miles,  and  are  mostly  inhab- 
ited by  Mexicans,  with  here  and  there  some  few  exceptions. 
Some  enterprising  Americans  having  planted  vineyards,  are 
carrying  on  a  very  good  trade  in  wine  and  brandy  with  the 
interior. 

Mining  Districts  and  Mines  of  Chihuahua. 

The  principal  mining  districts  of  Chihuahua  arc,  tlie 
Guadalupe  y  Calvo,  Zapuri,  Batopilas,  Urique,  Guazaparez, 
Jesus  Maria,  and  Potrero,  Morcllos,  China[)a,  Pinos  Altos, 
Concepcion,  Cusihurriachic,  ^Ligurichic,  Hidalgo  y  Teno- 
rivo,  .-^an  Francisco  del  Oro,  and  llidalgo  del  Parral. 

The  Guadalupe  y  Calvo  mines,  which  are  located  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  state,  are  mostly  owned  by  a  ]S'ew  York 
company,  who  purchased  them  from  an  English  compaii}', 
who  (.(btained  vast  profits  from  working  them.  The  mines 
of  this  district  obtained  their  great  reputation  from  the 
Immense  wealth  brought  to  their  English  owners.  The 
Zapuri  District  is  also  very  rich,  and  is  owned  by  Becerra 
Hermaiios.     The  mines  of  this  district,  which  are  now  being 


worked,  are  said  to  be  the  richest  in  the  state  of  Chihuahua. 
The  Batoi)i]as  District  is  mostly  owned  by  several  American 
companies  and  individuals,  and  is  located  in  the  south-west- 
ern part  of  the  state,  about  90  miles  from  Fuerte,  in  a 
north-east  direction. 

The  celebrated  San  Miguel  mine  is  owned  by  the  Bato- 
pilas  Consolidated  Mining  Company,  of  ISTew  York,  with 
other  mines  in  this  district.  Mr.  Shepard,  of  Washington 
City,  owns  the  controlling  interest  of  this  compan}-,  which 
is  amassing  immense  profits  from  their  mines. 

The  San  Miguel,  which  is  now  yielding  from  ^7,000  to 
$8,000  per  day,  is  located  near  this  point;  and  while  work- 
ing the  mine,  they  reached  one  of  three  veins  that  produced 
bonanzas  of  from  50  to  90  per  cent,  pure  silver;  the  rich 
places  being  found  sometimes  in  one  ledge,  then  in  another. 

The  Santo  Domingo,  which  is  located  on  one  side  of  the 
San  Miguel,  and  is  owned  by  Mr.  Kirk,  of  Philadelphia, 
struck  a  bonanza  upon  the  same  ledge  tliat  was  passed 
through  f)y  tlie  San  Miguel,  without  finding  rich  ore, 
though  the  latter  mine  struck  a  bonanza  on  the  next  vein 
beyond. 

The  iTevada  Tunnel  Company's  mine,  owned  by  Becerra 
HermaSos  &  Co.,  was  opened  near  the  converging  point  of 
the  ditterent  veins,  expecting  to  strike  it  rich  on  the  other 
side,  to  the  right  of  the  San  Miguel  mine;  they  reasoning 
that  if  the  veins  all  converge  at  this  point,  which  the  angles 
of  the  ledges  or  veins  indicate,  they  will  find  one  solid  bo- 
nanza of  all  the  veins  in  one.  If  this  is  true,  the  result  will 
be  millions  to  the  owners.  These  mines  are  all  located  in 
the  Batopilas  district,  the  veins  of  which  produce  virgin 
silver,  with  little  or  no  alloy  with  copper  or  base  metals. 
We  were  shown  specimens  of  ore  taken  from  these  mines, 
and  found  them  to  be  from  50  to  90  per  cent  of  virgin  silver. 
These  specimens  are  to  be  seen  at  Mr.  J.  F.  Schleiclen's 
ofiice,  of  this  city,  who  very  kindly  gave  us  valuable  inform- 
ation in  relation  to  the  mines  of  Sinaloa,  Chihuahua,  and 
Durango. 

The  Urique  District  contains  many  rich  mines,  and  is 
owned  by  the  Becerra  Ilermanos, 

The  Cliinipas  District  is  on  the  road  to  the  Guazaparez 
district,  and  possesses  some  ver3'  good  mines.  The  latter 
district  contains  some  ricli  mines,  and  is  entirely  owned  by 
Mexicans. 

The  Jesus  Maria  District  may  be  mentioned  next,  to 
which  we  have  given  special   attention  in  the  reports  of 


151 


assayers  and  mining  experts;  the  greater  part  of  which 
information  is  found  in  the  valual  le  book  of  Mr.  Mowry,  ou 
Arizona  and  Sonora.  The  mines  of  this  district  are  all 
owned  by  Mexicans,  and  are  now  worked  to  great  advan- 
tage. 

The  Pinos  Altos  District  is  mostly  owned  by  English  and 
American  companies. 

The  district  of  Morelos  is  also,  with  the  Pinos  Altos,  very 
rich  in  ores  that  yield  marvelously. 

We  might  add  that  the  Batopilas  district  is  completely 
surrounded  with  mountains  containing  milling  ores.  The 
silver  is  almost  entirely  native  in  this  whole  region.  The 
celebrated  Tajos  mine  is  located  in  the  Batopilas  district, 
and  is  famous  for  its  beautiful  specimens  of  ores.  This 
mine  is  also  owned  by  the  Bacerra  Ilermaiios.  There  is 
another  silver  mine  in  Parral,  that  has  a  shaft  300  feet  deep, 
that  pays  $175  per  ton,  according  to  the  assay  of  Salazar, 
assay ist,  of  Tucson,  Arizona.  This  mine  is  located  in  the 
southern  part  of  Chihuahua,  in  the  Sierra  Madre  range,  in 
the  vicinity  of  other  silver  mines.  The  vein,  ?\lr.  C.  Oreilla, 
the  owner,  who  is  now  in  this  city,  says,  is  from  12  to  24  feet 
wide,  and  is  located  in  the  town  of  Parral,  that  has  G,000  in- 
habitants. The  river,  or  Parral  Creek,  runs  through  the 
town.  There  is  good  grazing  in  the  vicinity,  and  it  is  sur- 
rounded by  cattle  ranchos.  It  is  in  a  region  well  settled. 
The  mine  is  an  old  one,  and  the  extent  of  [lossession  is  600 
by  200  varas.  The  ore  is  milled  near  the  same  place  by  the 
primitive  arastra.  The  ore  is  carried  to  the  arastras  on  the 
backs  of  mules.  The  mine  is  for  sale,  and  can  be  purchased 
of  Mr.  Orcilla.  The  Ei  Mlncyo  3Icxicano,  of  December  9th, 
says  that  the  mines  of  Hidalgo  del  Parral  might  be  explored 
by  the  expenditure  of  $500,000. 

Mines  of  Jesus  Maria  and  San  Jose  Districts. 

"  The  Nuestra  Seuora  del  Rayo  mine,  in  the  district  of 
Jesus  Maria,  was  discovered  shortly  after  the  discovery  of 
the  mine  of  Jesus  Maria,  from  which  the  mining  town  de- 
rived its  name,  in  the  year  1823,  and  is  situated  in  the  west- 
ern range  of  mountains  of  the  creek  of  Jesus  Maria,  at  one- 
aud-a-half  miles  from  the  town. 

"  The  Rayo  was  discovered  at  the  same  time  as  the  cele- 
brated Santa  JuHana  ^line,  from  which  it  is  about  500  varas 
distant.  Its  first  owners  were  Messrs.  Tomas  Suza  and 
Tomas  Rivera,  who  worked  it  successfully,  with  good  re 


15'2 


suits,  in  gold  and  silver.  It  was  abandoned  on  the  discovery 
of  a  bonanza  in  the  Santa  Juliana  mine,  of  which  they  were 
part  owners.  This  happened  in  1826.  It  was  afterwards 
worked  by  the  Siquerio  Bros,  until  it  became  filled  with  bad 
air,  caused  by  careless  management.  Tlie  mine  was  after- 
wards almost  ruined  by  gambucinos.  Sr.  J.  C  lienriqnez, 
in  1858,  denounced  it  to  restore  it,  which  ho  subsequently 
did,  and  it  is  now  being  worked. 

The  extent  of  possession  of  this  mine  is  700  varas  verti- 
cally, the  vein  having  an  inclination  of  from  15  to  20  de- 
grees, and  running  east  and  west.  A  drift  shaft  25  varas 
long  and  5  wide  has  been  opened,  with  firm  walls,  from 
whence  two  shafts  have  been  sunk,  leaving  a  pillar  of  14  to 
15  varas  between.  A  drift  was  run  from  them  of  large  ex- 
tent. 

There  is  also  a  vein  of  auriferous,  argentiferous  quartz  in 
the  vein  proper.  It  runs  from  2  to  10  inches  in  thickness  in 
four  different  veins,  running  parallel  with  each  other.  The 
ley  of  the  ores  was  24  ounces  of  auriferous  silver  per  carga, 
or  160  ounces  per  ton.  The  intrinsic  vahie  of  the  silver  of  this 
mine,  according  to  the  statement  of  the  government  assayer 
of  the  district  was  11  d.  2  gr.  silver,  100  gr.  gold,  realizing 
11  d.  per  marc  at  Jesus  Maria  prices. 

The  ore  discovered  in  widening  the  walls,  when  these 
auriferous  veins  were  first  discovered,  contained  more  silver 
than  gold,  yielding  at  the  rate  of  $1,500  silver  to  $100  gold 
per  carga  of  300  lbs.  It  afterwards  changed  into  more  gold, 
and  yielded  over  $100,000  per  ton.  Later,  this  vein 
changed  into  its  former  state.  More  or  less  rich  pockets  are 
found  at  uncertain  intei'vals.  The  ores  are  easily  reduced 
under  the  common  Spanish  amalgamation  process.  This 
Kayo  mine  is  situated  near  the  top  of  a  mountain  range, 
from  300  to  500  varas  above  the  creek.  The  entrance  to 
the  mine  is  on  an  almost  perpendicular  side  of  the  mountaiu. 
Timber  is  abundant,  and  at  three  miles  distant.  It  is  hardly 
half  a  mile  to  the  hacienda  of  Quintana. 

Santa  Margarita  is  situated  at  the  Rosario,  about  three 
miles  distant  from  Jesus  Maria,  and  was  formerly  owned  by 
Messrs.  Gutierrez,  Guerreiia&  Co.  The  vein  is  steej),  slant- 
ing from  one-half  to  one  vara  wide,  its  gangue  being  lime- 
spattle  with  virgin  gold  of  960  m.  ley  per  ton.  The  vein 
runs  east  to  west  2  degrees,  incline  north  ;  extent  of  pos- 
session, 800  varas.  The  mine  has  filled  with  water,  and  litis 
three  shafts.  The  common  ore  always  paid  $72  per  ton. 
The  better  class  reached  $25,961  per  ton,  and  the  best  ore^ 


153 


•$71,680  per  ton,  with  gold  telling  at  Jesus  Maria  at  $12  to 
'fl4  per  ounce.  The  improvements  on  the  mine  are  one 
stone  building — a  "malacate,"  or  large  horse-wiudUiss.  An 
outlay  of  84,000  to  $5,000  would  put  the  mine  in  working 
condition,  })roviding  the  malacate  windlass  was  used, 

"  San  Jose. — The  Rosario  gold  mine  is  adjoining  the  Santa 
Margarita  mine,  and  is  supposed  to  be  the  same  vein.  The 
vein  is  almost  perpendicular,  and  from  one-half  to  one  vara 
in  width.  Several  shafts  and  drifts  have  been  run.  The 
best  and  second-class  ore  has  paid  a  similar  ley  as  that  of 
the  Santa  Margariia,  v.'hiie  the  common  and  inferior  lej 
pays  from  $3  to  $4  per  carga,  or  from  $20  to  $25  per  ton, 
while  the  heavy  residue  of  the  ground  and  worked  ore  pays 
six  ounces  to  the  arroba,  of  25  lbs.  "Zaroche"  is  the  name 
for  gold  of  low  color,  containing  silver.  On  one  oc;  asion,  a 
carga  of  300  lbs  realized  $10,000,  having  reached  a  rich 
pocket.  Extent  of  possession,  800  varas.  This  mine  is  now 
full  of  water. 

"The  Caudelaria  mine  is  situated  about  half  a  mile  from 
the  town  of  Jesus  Maria.  The  vein  runs  almost  perpendic- 
ular from  one  to  two  feet  wide,  The  ore  is  hard,  but  docile 
under  the  amalgamation  process.  The  lowest  yield  has  never 
been  less  than  $48  per  arroba  of  300  lbs — $o2'0  to  $3243  per 
ton  as  the  highest. 

"The  gold  of  this  mine  sells  at  Jesus  Maria  at  $10  per 
ounce.  The  mine  is  on  the  top  of  a  mountain  range  400 
varas  above  the  creek,  and  was  full  of  rain  water;  extent  of 
possession,  800  varas. 

"The  San  Rafael  mine  is  distant  three-quarters  of  a  mile 
from  Jesus  Maria  town.  The  vein  is  nearly  perpendicular, 
direction  south  to  north,  inclination  from  15^  to  20°  east,  and 
is  about  one  and  a  half  feet  wide,  on  an  average.  The  gam- 
bucinos  tilled  up  the  most  of  the  shafts  with  rubbish  and  de- 
stroyed them.  The  balance  of  the  shafts  from  the  first  drift 
are  filled  with  water.  The  lowest  ley  has  never  been  less 
than  one  marc  to  the  cargo,  the  residue  or  "  polvillos  '  pay- 
ing from  two  to  three  marcs  silver  per  arroba,  or  about  $110 
per  ton.  This  silver  is  auriferous,  and  sells  at  Jesus  Maria 
at  $10  per  marc;  extent  of  possession,  800  varas. 

"  The  Hacienda  Quintana  is  the  point  established  for  the  re- 
duction of  the  ores,  and  is  situated  in  the  center  of  the  min- 
ing town  Jesus  Maria.  It  consists  of  three  stamps  and  eight 
arastras,  all  the  machinery  of  which  is  moved  by  an  overshot 
wheel  run  by  water.  The  hacienda  reduces  three  and  a  half 
tons  per  24  hours,  and  is  fed  by  the  creek  Jesus  Maria." 


154 

The  principal  mines  of  El  Parral,  situated  at  the  city  of 
Parral,  are  six  in  number,  known  as  the  Prieta,  Mereaderas, 
Tajo,  San  Antonio,  Leona  and  Konquilla.  These  mines  are 
famous  in  history  and  have  a  national  reputation,  havin_£:  yield- 
ed over  $60,000,000  in  silver,  and  are  with  those  of  Batopi- 
las  and  Jesus  Maria  tiie  most  important  in  the  state  of  Chi- 
huahua. The  mines  are  located  on  a  small  mountain  of  the 
foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Madre  range  called  "  Cerro  la  Cruz," 
which  overlooks  and  is  within  walking  distance  of  the  city. 
The  Prieta  and  Tajo  mines  have  been  extensively  worked  by 
the  Spaniards  and  Mexicans.  The  workings  in  the  former, 
following  thq  body  of  the  ore,  have  left  an  immense  hall  or 
-chamber,  showing  the  amount  of  ore  that  has  been  extracted. 
The  height  of  the  chamber  reaches  260  feet  and  width  follow- 
ing the  vein,  extends  from  seven  feet  two  inches  to  over 
twenty  feet,  and  length  from  150  to  200  feet.  At  the  bottom 
the  vein  is  from  seven  feet  two  inches  to  fifteen  feet  wide. 
At  the  extreme  north  end  the  ore  as  shown  by  assays  made 
last  year  carried  67  ounces  of  silver  to  the  ton,  a  few  feet  fur- 
ther south  82  ounces,  in  other  parts  146  ounces,  77  ounces,  66 
ounces,  139  and  180  ounces.  The  Mereaderas  mine  is  next  to 
the  Prieta,  not  being  however  connected  with  it.  At  the 
point  where  is  situated  the  Mereaderas  mine  the  same  vein  is 
narrower,  but  from  this  mine  a  very  large  quantity  of  silver 
was  taken,  very  rich  ore  having  been  found.  At  the  Tajo, 
however,  the  vein  is  wider  than  it  is  at  the  Prieta,  having  in 
the  Tajo,  and  from  there  to  the  Ronquilla  a  width  of  from 
twenty-five  to  sixty  feet,  the  ore  being  quite  as  rich  as  that 
found  in  the  Prieta. 

The  above  described  property  was  bought  by  Hon.  Joseph 
Knotts  while  U.  S.  Consul  at  the  city  of  Chihuahua,  from  dif- 
ferent parties  and  consolidated  by  the  company  known  as  the 
Knotts  Mexican  Silver  Mining  (Company  of  Chicago.  A  ten 
stamp  mill  has  been  erected  with  suitable  storehouse  buildings 
and  all  the  necessary  appurtenances  in  the  shape  of  furnaces, 
pumps,  etc. 

The  city  of  Parral,  which  is  called  Hidalgo  del  Parral,  is  a 
place  of  about  10,000  inhabitants  and  is  over  200  years  old. 
It  is  as  orderly  and  quiet  as  any  city  of  its  size  in  the  United 
States  and  has  a  considerable  trade  in  supplying  mines  in  the 
vicinity.  The  foregoing  rejiort  upon  the  mines  of  Parral  is 
taken  from  a  report  of  A.  J.  Howell  on  the  consolidated 
mines  of  Parral. 

From  a  report  on  "  Pastrana,"  in  the  Batopilas  district,  by 
Jno.  C.  F.  Randolph,  M.  E.,  we  quote  the  following  data  : 


156 

"The  diorite  is  the  rock  in  wliich  the  productive  silver 
veins  in  this  locality  are  fonnd.  Extending  from  tlie  north- 
east corner  to  the  southwest  corner  of  the  belt,  a  dii^tance  of 
perhaps  four  and  a  half  miles,  there  seems  to  be  a  bonanza 
line  of  white  panina,  on  which  all  the  great  bonanza  veins  of 
Batopilas  lie.  No  great  bonanza  veins  have  as  yet  been  found 
outside  of  this  line. 

The  peculiarity  of  this  district  lies  in  its  containing  veins  of 
calc  spar  in  the  diorite  carrying  native  silver.  This  occur- 
rence is  only  known  in  one  other  locality  in  the  world,  while 
near  the  surface  chlorides  of  silver,  black  silver  and  rubv  sil- 
ver are  found.  The  eventual  ore  has  always  been  found  to 
be  native  silver  highly  crystallized  and  often  massive.  This 
ore  is  richer  and  more  cheaply  and  easily  treated  than  any 
other  ore  of  silver.  In  this  district  the  cases  are  many  in 
which  veins  have  gone  into  bonanza  over  and  over  again,  and 
this  indeed  is  the  usual  experience  with  bonanza  veins.  These 
veins  do  not  bear  one  blossom  and  then  stop  bearing.  This 
is  notably  the  case  with  the  Veta  Grande  \'ein  on  the  ))roperty 
whose  history  has  l)een  given  (San  Miguel  of  the  Consolida- 
ted Batopilas  S.  M.  Co.).  This  vein  gave  a  bonanza  netting  in 
four  years  almost  13,000,000.  Within  eighty  feet  of  this 
bonanza,  a  new  bonanza  was  struck  into  last  year  which  has 
already  produced  $200,000  to  very  slight  efforts,  and  in  the 
portion  already  developed  contains  uj)\vard  of  J54(»0,000  more 
in  place,  waiting  for  the  arrival  of  a  mill  to  treat  it.  The  rule 
-with  all  the  mines  of  this  district  has  l)een  that,  although  they 
may  carry  chloride  of  silver  on  the  surface,  the  eventual  ore 
at  a  depth  is  native  silver  in  all  its  grades  of  massive,  13rossa, 
Cispeado,  Clavo,  and  Azogue." — [J.  C.  F.  R.  in  '' Silver  Mines 
■of  Batopilas.  '] 

From  same  :  "  At  the  greatest  depth  as  yet  attained  by  any 
mine  in  the  district,  viz.:  200  feet  below  the  level  of  the  river 
and  000  feet  below  the  actual  surface,  this  native  silver  still 
remains  the  final  ore,  and  that  no  other  class  of  ore  will  be 
found  is  undoubted.  The  classes  of  ore  of  this  district  are 
different  from  anything  else  in  the  world:  Ist,  Massive  sil- 
ver in  pieces  of  100  pounds  and  upwards;  2d,  Brossa  silver, 
three-quarters  silver  and  one-quarter  calc  spar,  $20,000  per 
ton,  and  daily  produced  in  the  district;  3d,  Cispeado  silver, 
one-third  silver  and  two-thirds  calc  s])ar,  $10,000  per  ton,  and 
-daily  produced  in  paying  quantities  in  the  district ;  4th.  (Mavo 
silver,  calc  spar  carrying  isolated  nails  of  silver,  $500  to  $5,000 
per  ton ;  5th,  Azogue,  or  amalgamating  ore,  with  finely  dis- 
seminated native  silver,  from   $50  to  $500  per  ton,  in  large 


156 

[{uantities.  The  veins  which  liave  np  to  date  (October,  1881) 
produced  the  ])riiicipai  bonanzas  are  the  Pastrana,  Carmen^ 
^!an  Antonio,  Yeta  Grande,  Arbetrios,  Roncesvalles,  Camu- 
chin,  Descnbridora,  San  Antonio  de  las  Tachos,  Santa  Teresa, 
Gnadalnpe  and  Trinidad.  All  these  bonanza  mines  are  found 
on  a  diagonal  line  running  from  the  northeast  corner  to  the 
southwest  corner  of  the  belt,  and  are  embraced  within  an  area 
of  a  few  hundred  feet  in  width  and  some  four  miles  in  length. 

The  most  convenient  connection  for  supplies  is  from  San 
Francisco  to  Mazatlan  by  steamer,  thence  by  schooner  to  Agi- 
abampo,  on  the  Gulf  of  California,  and  from  thence  to  Batopi- 
las  by  pack  train.  Lines  of  stages  make  regular  trips  from 
El  Paso  and'  San  Antonio  to  Chihuahua,  and  on  the  Pacific 
side  from  Mazatlan  to  El  Fuerte.  The  cost  of  slii])ping  silver 
from  Batopilas  to  New  York,  including  insurance  against 
every  risk,  is  but  3^  per  cent." 

"The  Todos  Santos  Mining  Company  own  two  mines,  the 
Todos  Santos  and  Arbetrios.  The  first  was  denounced  in 
1875  and  a  shaft  was  sunk  to  the  depth  of  150  feet  with  six 
levels,  and  which  worked  by  Mexican  processes  yielded  nearly 
$120,000.  It  is  said  a  lump  of  silver  ore  which  assayed  over 
90  per  cent,  weighing  285  pounds,  was  taken  from  tiiis  mine. 
Another  now  in  the  company's  office  in  New  York  weighs 
over  65  pounds,  extracted  in  the  early  part  of  1881,  is  estima- 
ted to  be  at  least  one-half  silver  in  weight.  The  company 
now  are  driving  a  tunnel  into  the  side  of  the  mountain  150 
feet  below  the  old  works,  to  tap  the  vein.  The  other  mine^ 
Arbetrios,  is  an  old  mine,  that,  according  to  the  mining  rec- 
ords of  Batopilas  district,  in  one  year  produced  over  $500,000."^ 
— [From  prospectus  of  the  Todos  Santos  Silver  Mining  Co.] 

Twelve  miles  east  of  Chihuahua,  Mexico,  is  the  marvelous 
Santa  Eulalia  silver  mountain,  from  which  $447,000,000  have 
been  taken  in  times  past.  It  is  now  in  the  hand.s  of  New 
York  and  Philadelphia  capitalists.  The  El  Paso  Tiynes  has  a 
description  of  the  mine  at  present,  from  which  we  quote  a& 
follows:  "A  road  has  been  built  through  a  very  deep  arroyo 
leading  to  some  of  the  old  mines,  while  another  one  has  been 
3ompleted  thence  to  the  hacienda,  along  which  a  ditch  has 
been  run,  bringing  up  the  water  of  the  Chihuahua  river  to  the 
tvorks  for  reduction  purposes.  Another  gigantic  operation  is 
the  cutting  of  two  tunnels,  one  of  five  miles  in  length  and  the 
ither  ten  miles,  which  are  to  pierce  the  old  mines.  Even  be- 
fore reaching  any  pockets,  or  leads  proper,  the  ore  taken  out 
already  is  of  sufficient  value  to  pay  the  expenses  of  this  colos- 
sal work  as  it  progresses.     Two  hundred  men  are  now  em- 


15T 

ployed,  and  when  the  hoistino^  works,  stamp  mills,  etc., 
are  completed,  the  former  yield,  fabulous  as  it  may  appear, 
will  be  easily  surpassed.  The  records  of  the  Tribunal  of 
'Miues  and  the  Mint  at  Chiliuahua,  show  that  this  mine,  first 
opened  in  1703,  has  yielded  the  enormous  sum  of  $447,000,- 
000  in  silver.  But  the  church  records  of  the  Cathedral  of 
Chihuahua  would  lead  one  to  believe  that  even  more  was  ex- 
tracted. That  cathedral  was  built  by  a  tax  on  this  mine  ex- 
clusivelv.  A  sum  equal  to  7  cents  on  every  marca  ($8)  of 
silver  taken  from  the  Santa  Eulalia  constituted  the  only  build- 
ing fund  for  this  cathedral ;  and  M'hen  it  is  borne  in  mind  that 
this  edifice  cost  not  less  than  $900,000,  as  estimated  by  the 
ecclesiastical  and  civil  officials,  $447,000,000  is  a  modest  figure. 

In  speaking  of  this  region,  AVard,  in  his  work  entitled 
*' Mexico  in  1827,"  says:  "Near  the  surface  of  the  earth  all 
the  lodes  contain  a  considerable  quantity  of  gold.  This 
diminishes  as  the  workings  increase  in  depth,  while  the  pro- 
portion of  silver  augments."  And  of  the  Santa  Eulalia:  "To 
the  north  of  El  Parral,  and  about  five  leagues  to  the  south- 
east of  the  city  of  Chihuahua,  is  the  ancient  mining  district  of 
Santa  Eulalia.  It  has  been  long  abandoned,  and  the  mines 
are  in  a  ruinous  condition.  The  ores  were  generally  found 
in  loose  earth,  filling  immense  caverns,  of  which  some  are 
stated  to  be  sufRciently  large  to  contain  the  cathedral  of  the 
City  of  Mexico;  but  there  can  be  little  doubt  of  their  magni- 
tude, since  the  last  bonanza  extracted  from  one  of  them  con- 
tinued for  nine  years."  "  The  ores  of  Santa  Eulalia  are 
generally  mixed  with  a  considerable  quantity  of  galena,  which 
renders  them  fit  for  smelting." 

Intending  investors  in  mines  in  this  country  should  only 
buy  mines  that,  at  least,  have  been  partially  explored  and 
show  metal.  It  is  impossible  fur  anyone  to  see  into  the 
ground,  and  no  one  is  competent  to  state  specifically  the  value 
of  an  undeveloped  property.  Good  miners  judge  of  the  value 
of  a  mine  by  the  amount  of  ore  in  sight,  and  from  the  indica- 
tions of  vein,  rock,  etc.,  draw  inferences  as  to  the  amount  that 
is  hidden.  A  vein  is  more  likely  to  extend  than  to  ''  peter 
out "  suddenly  from  a  good  prospect. 

While  there  are  many  rich  mines  in  Mexico  one  cannot  be 
too  careful  in  investing.  As  a  case  in  point:  A  mining  com- 
pany in  San  Francisco  purchased  an  inaccessible  mine  which 
they  could  not  reach  with  expensive  machinery  which  they 
had  purchased,  and  a  10  stamp  mill  now  lies  scattered  along 
the  sides  of  a  mountain  in  Chihuahua,  in  a  ruinous  condition, 
and    the   property  was  totally    abandoned   after   some   $90,- 


158 

000  were  expended  in  the  experiment.  These  mines  are 
undoubtedly  good  mines,  but  are  inaccessible,  and  therefore 
will  not  pay  the  expenses  of  worldng  tliera. 

Guadalupe  y  Calvo,  in  the  Guudalnpe  y  Calvo  District,  is' 
the  largest  mine  in  the  State  of  Chihualiua.  It  was  leased 
in  former  years  to  an  English  company  for  a  period  of  20 
years,  and  supported  a  population  of  10,000  people.  This  is 
a  celebrated  mine,  on  account  of  its  produci-ng  immense 
fortunes  for  the  English  company.  When  the  lease  expired, 
the  original  owners,  who  are  Mexicans,  took  possession, 
with  all  the  improvements,  and  continued  to  work  it. 
While  it  was  in  possession  of  the  English  company,  they 
secured  the  erection  of  a  mint  by  the  Mexican  government, 
to  save  the  expense  of  transportation.  A  20-stamp  mill  was 
used  to  reduce  the  ore,  and  about  80  arastras.  The  latter 
were  run  by  Mexicans  on  shares.  The  depth  reached  in 
the  mine  is  about  900  feet.  The  width  of  the  vein  averages 
from  20  to  25  feet,  and  is  well  defined.  The  average  assay 
was  about  $200 — the  lowest,  $40,  and  the  highest,  $2,000. 
The  ore  was  free  milling.  The  mine  is  located  on  the  side 
of  a  mountain,  500  feet  above  the  creek;  but  it  is  now 
abandoned,  and  the  shafts  and  drifts  are  filled  with  water  on 
the  lower  levels. 

The  Carmen  mine  is  located  just  beyond  the  border  line 
of  Sinaloa,  in  the  State  of  Chihuahua,  on  the  side  of  a  mount> 
ain  near  the  summit,  in  the  main  range  of  the  Sierra 
Madre.  The  depth  of  the  mine  is  about  300  feet  or  more; 
width  of  the  vein  about  5  feet.  The  average  assay  about 
$120  per  ton,  and  the  ore  runs  pretty'even  from  $80  to  $300 
per  ton.  It  is  owned  by  a  Mexican.  The  ore  is  rebellious, 
and  contains  biit  a  small  percentage  of  gold.  The  mine  is 
not  a  mile  distant  from  the  border,  and  about  25  miles  from 
the  town  of  Cosala  in  Sinaloa. 

The  Pinos  and  Altos  is  worked  by  an  English  company,  Mr. 
Hepburn  is  the  principal  owner.  A  15-stamp  mill  is  now  re- 
ducing the  ore  and  arrangements  are  being  made  for  anoth- 
er 15  stamp  mill.  The  depth  attained  is  800  feet._  The 
average  assay  is  about  $100  i)er  ton.  This  mine  is  situated 
on  the  top  ofa  mountain  about  15  miles  from  Jesus  Maria 
Northwest.  Several  shafts,  crosscuts  and  tunnels  have  been 
run.  The  present  owners  have  worked  the  mine  for  about 
three  years.  The  mine  was  purchased  from  Mexicans.  The 
ore  i)roduces  a  larger  percentage  of  gold  than  silver. 


159 

The  La  Soledad  has  reached  a  dept  of  ahout  00  feet,  and 
and  widtli  of  the  vein  about  15  feet;  average  assay,  about 
|100  per  ton.  This  is  developed  by  a  shaft  but  a  sliort  dis- 
tance abi)ve  the  Arroyo,  and  abouc  20  feet  from  the  bank  of 
the  stream.  The  mine  consequently  became  filled  with  wa- 
ter and  v/as  abandoned. 

Santo  Domilius  mine  is  situated  southwest  of  Jesus  Maria, 
about  five  miles.  The  mine  is  developed  by  a  shaft  at  the 
surface,  and  a  tunnel  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  tapping 
the  vein.  The  i)riucipal  owner  is  Jesus  Solis,  A  ten-stamp 
mill  is  being  erected  to  reduce  the  ore  at  the  mine.  A 
small  five-stamp  prospecting  mill  has  hitherto  been  used. 
The  tunnel  reaches  the  heart  of  the  vein  and  is  over  1200 
feet  in  length.  The  ore  is  abundant  and  assays  on  an  aver- 
age about  $75  per  ton. 

Good  accounts  continue  to  come  from  the  Batopilas  mines 
in  Chihuahua.  Ex-Govenor  Shepherd  writes  that  he  has 
ready  over  $600,000  worth  of  ore,  and  that  the  mines  are 
working  now  in  "bonanza."  A  piece  of  ore,  weighing  148 
pounds,  and  valued  at  $1,680  has  been  forwarded  as  a  sam- 
ple of  the  mine's  production.  It  is  stated  that  the  Batopilas 
mine,  during  its  first  year,  without  machinery,  paid  $160,000 
besides  the  sura  of  $57,000  set  apart  for  mills,  and  a  balance 
of  $180,000  retained  in  its  treasury,  Mr.  Robinson,  formerly 
of  Durango,  whom  I  met  recently,  fully  confirms  the  reports 
of  the  richness  of  the  Batopilas  mines. 

The  San  Jose  de  Bravo  mine  is  located  23  miles  form 
Jesus  Maria,  in  a  southwest  direction.  This  mine  was  first 
discovered  and  worked  about  thirty-two  years  ago,  by  Sigs 
Devaley  Y  Lopez  Y  Cia.  Reliable  information  as  to  the 
history  of  the  mine  is  difficult  to  obtain.  It  is  reported  that 
$700,000  were  extracted  from  this  mine  in  two  years,  while 
in  bonanza.  The  population  of  Bravo  at  that  time  was 
about  1000.  The  owners  of  the  mine  squandered  the  pro- 
ceeds, and  died  in  comparative  poverty-  The  manner  of 
working,  was  the  usual  Mexican  style  of  extracting  the  rich 
ores  only,  and  on  the  abandoimient  of  the  property,  the 
garabucinos  completed  its  ruin  by  extracting  the  pillars 
and  thereby  causing  the  destruction  of  the  workings.  The 
mine  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  nci)burn. 

The  Pertenencia  extends  2400  feet.  Eighteen  hundred 
X.  N.  E.  of  the  mouth  of  the  lower  tunnels,  and  Six  hundred 
feet  in  a  S.  S.  W.  direction.  There  are  three  parallel  veins, 
named  respectively';  San  Franguilino,  San  Bonifacio  and 
San  Antonio.     The  first  has  an  average  width  of  8  to   14  feet 


160 

of  ore  varying  in  richness.  The  second  is  completely  cover- 
ed with  the  veins  of  the  old  workings,  so  that  no  exact  re- 
port can  he  had  of  it.  Tlie  third  vein  is  also  in  like  manner 
covered.  A  tunnel  250  feet  long,  and  two  or  three  shafts 
have  been  sunk.  One  of  these  shafts  is  called  the  San  Fran- 
guilino,  and  the  other  the  San  Bonifacio.  One  of  the  work- 
ings was  called  the  Dolores,  and  the  other  DulceslSTombres. 
The  first  is  about  '200  feet  above  the  Arroyo  Bravo,  and  the 
second  about  500  feet.  The  assay  reaches  from  $20  to  over 
$2,500  per  ton.  Abundance  of  wood  and  water  are  adja- 
cent. 

The  La  Soledad  is  about  three  milles  due  north  of  Je- 
sus Maria.  The  vein  of  this  mine  runs  southwest  and  north- 
east, and  dips  southerly  at  an  angle  of  40°.  The  walls  are 
more  or  less  well  defined,  and  are  of  porphj'hy  and  green 
serpentine.  An  old  mine,  called  the  Jesus  Maria  mine  ad- 
joins the  Pertenencia,  that  carries  a  low  grade  ore  in  great 
abundance,  assaying  from  $30  to  $35  per  ton.  Tunnels  and 
shafts  have  been  sunk  on  the  vein  of  La  Soledad,  but  they 
are  filled  with  water,  and  mostly  caved  in.  Mr.  Theo.  A. 
P.  Brown  who  reported  on  this  mine  from  which  we  obtain 
the  data  states  in  his  ojiinion  "that  there  exists  still  large 
quantities  of  ore,  and  of  considerable  value,  there  is  not  the 
slightest  doubt  .  The  tunnel  of  Soledad  commences  about 
15  feet  above  the  Arroyo,  It  is  run  on  the  vein  which  is  a- 
bout  6  feet  wide,  but  pay  ore  is  only  found  on  the  foot  wall, 
and  is  about  12  inches  wide  throughout  the  upper  works. 
At  bottom  of  mine,  now  under  water,  the  owner  says  the  pay 
ore  is  a  vara  wide.  I  have  made  an  average  assay  of  400 
cargas,  equivalent  to  60  tons,  the  result  of  which  was  silver, 
$67  86;  gold,  $19  94;  total,  $87  80.  Later  assays  by  same 
report,  showed  as  high  as  $196  from  mouth  of  tunnel." 


DUKANGO. 


CHAPTER  I. 
Physical  Features. 

A.  large  proportion  of  the  state  of  Durango  is  situated 
upon  the  table-lauds,  and  the  capital,  thougli  surrounded  in 
most  maps  by  mountains,  lies  in  the  midst  of  avast  plain, 
which,  to  the  north-east,  extends,  with  few  interruptions,  as 
far  as  Chihuahua  and  Santa  F^,  in  New  Mexico.  To  the 
west,  both  north  and  south,  the  Sierra  Madre  extends,  form- 
ing a  barrier  upon  the  Pacific  side,  and  the  hot  low  lands 
of  Sinaloa  occupy  the  space  between  the  foot  of  the  mount- 
ains and  the  Pacific  Ocean.  The  state  is  bounded  on  the 
north  and  north-west  by  Chihuahua,  and  on  the  east  by  Co- 
abuila,  and  on  the  south-east  by  Zacatecas,  and  on  the  south 
by  Jalisco,  and  south-west  by  Sinaloa.  It  is  completely  sur- 
rounded by  Mexican  territory,  and  is  not  considered  as  one 
of  the  border  states,  though  we  have  included  it  in  our 
work  on  account  of  its  location  and  important  interests  con- 
nected with  those  states  on  the  frontier. 

The  state  of  Durango  is  divided  into  13  districts,  as  fol- 
lows: Durango,  iSTombre  de  Dios,  Mesquital,  Cuencame, 
Uzas,  Mapime,  San  Juan  de  Guadalupe,  San  Juan  del  Rio; 
Indee,  Papasquiero,  El  Oro,  Tamasula,  and  San  Dimas.  The 
state  has  but  few  manufactures.  Its  riches  consist  almost 
entirely  in  mines  and  agricultural  produce,  which  last  is  so 
considerable  that  the  lauds  already  brought  into  cultivation 
are  supposed  to  be  sufficient  for  the  support  of  a  popula- 
tion five  times  as  large  as  the  State  now  contains.  Conse- 
quently, it  has  considerable  trade  witli  the  surrounding  re- 
gion. 

The  raising  of  stock  is  carried  on  extensively  also;  most 
of  the  estates,  besides  being  devoted  to  agricultural  products, 
are  also  devoted  to  the  raising  of  large  herds  of  horned  cat- 
tle, horses,  mules,  and  sheep,  of  which  last  150,000  are  sent 
every  year  to  the  Mexican  market.  The  Hacienda  de  la 
Sarca  alone  possesses  a  stock  of  200,000  sheep  and  40,000 
11  161 


l()-2 

mules  and  horses.  That  of  Ramas,  which  consists  of  400 
"sitios"  or  sheep  ranches,  lias  80,000  sheep,  and  the  Guati- 
mape  40,000  oxen  and  cows.  The  valley  of  Poanos,  ahout 
45  miles  from  the  capital  east,  contains  nothing  but  corn 
1  inds.  It  is  watered  by  a  river  which  runs  through  the 
center  of  the  valley,  and  on  this  river  are  nine  "haciendas  de 
triego''  (corn  estates)  in  immediate  succession,  which  supply 
the  capital  with  flour  of  the  very  best  quality,  at  from  f6  to 
$S  per  fanega.  Sugar  might  be  extensively  raised  in  the. 
valley  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  where  water  abounds  and  cli- 
mate might  also  be  selected  at  pleasure.  Sugar  is  at  pres- 
ent brought  'from  the  valley  of  Cuencame  at  a  distance  of 
250  leagues.  It  sells  at  an  enormous  price  —  $5  per  arroba,. 
and  often  at  $10.  Indigo  and  cofi'ee  might  likewise  be 
reckoned  among  the  natural  productions,  as  they  are  found 
wild  in  the  barrancas  or  ravines  of  the  Sierra.  Sugar,  we 
believe,  is  raised  to  a  small  extent  in  some  of  the  valleys. 

Mr.  Ruxton  describes  the  rancho^  and  haciendas  as  fol- 
lows: "  The  ranchos  and  haciendas  in  Durango  and  Chihua- 
hua are  all  inclosed  by  a  high  wall,  flanked  at  the  corners 
by  circular  bastions  loop-holed  for  musketry.  The  entrance 
is  by  a  large  gate  which  is  closed  at  night,  and  on  the  azates 
or  flat  roof  of  the  building  a  sentry  is  constantly  posted  day 
and  night  during  Indian  troubles.  Round  the  corral  are  the 
dwellings  of  the  peones,  the  casa  grande  or  proprietor's 
house  being  generally  at  one  end  and  occupying  one  or  more 
sides  of  the  square."  He  goes  on  to  speak  of  large  herds  of 
cattle  and  horses  to  be  found  on  the  plains,  but  of  one  dis- 
trict he  says:  "From  El  Gallo  to  Mapimi  a  mule  track  leads 
the  traveler  through  a  most  wild  and  broken  country,  per- 
fectly deserted,  rugged  sierras  rising  from  the  mesquite- 
covered  plains,  which  are  sterile  and  entirely  destitute  of 
water.  This  part  of  the  country  i^  far  out  of  the  beaten 
track  from  Durango  to  Chihuahua."  Thus  it  is  seen  that 
sterile  tracts  are  also  to  be  found  in  this  state.  The  whole 
of  the  state  is  mountainous  and  contains  no  rivers,  except  a 
few  small  streams. 


163 

CHAPTER  n. 

City  of  Durango. 

Of  the  City  of  Durango  he  says:  "  The  City  of  Durango 
was  founded  by  Yelasco  el  Primero,  and  it  may  be  oonBid- 
ered  the  '  ultima  thulc  '  of  the  civilized  [lortion  of  Mexico. 
Beyond  it  to  the  north  and  north-west  stretch  away  the  vast 
uncultivated  and  unpeopled  plains  of  Chihuahua,  the  Bol- 
son  de  Mapimi,  and  the  arid  deserts  of  the  Gila."  The  dis- 
tance to  Mexico  City  is  650  miles  from  Durango,  the  capital 
of  the  state,  which  is  situated  G5  leagues  north-west  of  Za- 
catecas.  The  population  is  22,000.  The  state  had,  in  1876, 
185,000.  Both  the  city  of  Victoria  and  mosr  of  the  other 
towns  of  Durango — Tamasula,  Sianori,  Mapimi,  San  Dimaa, 
Canelas,  Cuencame — take  their  origin  from  the  mines. 

The  town  of  Victoria,  or  Durango,  is  situated  in  the  plain 
heretofore  mentioned,  and  is  the  principal  town  of  the  state. 
The  streets  are  pretty  regular,  and  the  town  contains  a  large 
plaza  called  the  Plaza  Mayor,  one  theater  and  other  public 
buildings,  which  were  built  by  Zambrano,  a  rich  mine- 
owner,  who  is  supposed  to  have  extracted  from  his  mines  at 
San  Dimas  and  Guarisamey,  upwards  of  thirty  millions  of 
dollars. 

The  capitol  is  located  here,  a  mint,  and  the  Casa  del 
Apartado,  (a  place  for  the  separation  of  gold  from  silver)  a 
glass  manufactory,  a  tannery,  and  a  fabrica  de  tobacos.  The 
police  of  the  town  is  well  organized,  and  robberies  almost 
unknown.  Legal  proceedings  are  summary,  the  legisla- 
ture having  passed  a  law  which  concludes  legal  proceedings 
in  three  days,  in  cases  of  robbery. 

Tobacco  is  produced,  also,  in  the  State,  to  some  extent. 

There  is  muv.h  trade  at  this  point,  principally  in  bullion 
from  the  mines,  and  among  the  principal  business  firms 
may  be  mentioned,  Julio  Hildebrand  Succesores,  Door- 
man &  Co.,  Giron,  Stahlknecht  &  Co.,  Francisco  Gurza  & 
Co.,  Juambels  Ilermaiios,  and  Francisco  Alvarez  &  Co. 

The  towns  of  Villa  del  Nombre  de  Dios,  San  Juan  del 
Rio,  and  Cinco  Senores  deNazas,are  almost  the  only  cities  in 
the  State  connected  with  mines.  The  two  first  are  sup- 
ported by  an  extensive  trade  in  "vino  mescal,"  (a  sort  of 
brandy  distilled  from  the  maguey  or  American  aloe,  some- 
times called  the  century  plant,  which  requires  from  seven 
to  ten  years  to  develop. 

The    last-named  town  is  supported  by  the  cotton  plauta- 


164 

tions  situated  upon  the  banks  of  the  river  Nazas.  The 
alacran  (or  small  scorpion)  excepted,  Durango  is  very 
pleasant,  and  the  climate  is  delightful  and  healthy,  and  the 
people  fairer  and  finer-looking  than  in  any  part  of  Mexico  I 
have  yet  seen. 

Bath  Houses   of  Durango. 

We  are  indebted  to  Dr.  Benjamin  of  San  Jose,  for 
the  following.  "The  hot  springs  located  at  the  upper  part 
of  the  city,  furnish  water  for  nearly  the  whole  city.  A  stone 
aqueduct  conducts  the  water  through  the  centre  of  the  prin- 
cipal streets.  The  stream  is  about  three  feet  wide,  by  one 
and  one-half  feet  deep.  Near  the  source  of  this  stream,  are 
built  a  great  many  bath  houses,  all  built  of  stone.  The  bath 
tubs  are  of  masonry  and  a  number  of  them  are  12  by  12 
feet  in  diameter  and  5  or  6  feet  deep.  The  temperature  of 
the  water  is  about  80°.  You  can  take  a  bath  in  the  large 
rooms  for  twenty-five  cents.  There  are  a  great  many  small 
rooms — prices,  six  to  twelve  cents.  The  population  are  very 
fond  of  bathing,  and  I  do  not  wonder,  when  I  remember  how 
fine  and  clean  are  the  bath  tubs,  and  how  pleasant  is  the 
temperature  of  the  water." 

From  Durango  to  Mazatlan. 

Further  than  Durango  no  wheeled  vehicle  can  go,  so  we 
disposed  of  our  ambulances,  and  took  it  mule  back,  paying 
at  the  rate  of  $12  per  mule  for  passenger  and  baggage.  Four 
miles  from  Durango  the  wagon  road  gave  out,  and  we  took 
a  path  which  wound  up  rugged  clifl's  until  near  camp.  When 
we  came  to  a  mountain  mesa.  Our  course  lay  to  the  west- 
ward, and  for  the  first  few  miles,  our  road  was  good  and  we 
had  a  comprehensive  view.  In  consequence  of  the  dangers 
which  beset  the  road,  it  is  customary  for  travelers  to  ren- 
dezvous at  Durango,  and  travel  in  large  parties.  We  made 
a  terrific  descent  to-day,  at  the  bottom  of  which  dashed  a 
beautiful  mountain  stream,  and  up  w^e  climbed  again  to  the 
top  of  another  mountain.  Our  camp  is  among  beautiful 
pines,  and  flocks  of  noisy  parrots  are  flying  over  us,  on  their 
passage  from  the  nut  forests.  Here  is  said  to  begin  our  dan- 
gerous road;  near  by  are  the  skulls  and  bones  of  some  mur- 
dered travelers,  placed  on  a  pile  of  stones.  The  road  next 
morning  is  quite  rough;  in  fact,  a  mere  path, winding  through 
dark  woods,  and  over  precepitous  heights.     These  wild  soli- 


165 

tudes  are  charming,  the  pine  forming  arches  over  head,  the 
earth  carpeted  with  green  grass,  and  at  short  intervals  cool 
springs  of  water.  The  days  are  n'arra,  the  night  cool.  On 
the  next  day  we  camped  in  a  beuntiful  pine  grove,  on  an  em- 
inence, overlooking  a  pretty  little  vale.  *  In  the  midst  of  the 
grove  stajids  a  liigh  rude  cross,  said  to  mark  the  spot  where 
the  banished  bishop  of  Durango  performed  mass.  A  grand 
temple,  whose  pillars  are  the  forest-monarchs,  and  whose 
dome  bine  Heaven.  The  next  day  our  path  passed  through 
a  beantifnl  mountain  country  of  pine  woods  and  gushing 
streams,  our  every  stcn  still  beset  with  the  melancholy  siijht 
of  human  skulls. .  Our  next  encampment,  was  in  the  bend 
of  a  beautiful  bold  mountain  stream, — a  desirable  location 
for  a  settlement,  soil  good,  building  material  abundant,  and 
a  natural  site  for  a  mill.  Shortly  after  leaving  camj)  the 
next  morning,  the  foot  passengers  and  some  of  the  horse-men 
separated  from  us,  taking  a  nearer  but  rougher  route  to 
Mazatlan. 

The  roads  parted  near  the  piloncillos,  a  collection  of 
curious,  cone-shaped  rocks.  Among  the  footmen  were  some 
mountain  cargadores  now  carrying  loads  of  apples.  They 
carry  their  loads  on  their  backs,  keeping  them  in  place 
by  means  of  a  strap  across  tlie  foreheads.  These  men  are 
employed  to  carry  heavy  machinery  where  it  is  impossible 
to  use  animals;  they  also  carry  the  mails  between  Durango 
and  Mazatlan,  making  the  round  trip  in  eight  days,  for  which 
they  are  paid  ^lo.  They  kee[)  up  a  brisk  trot  all  day, 
munching  their  tortillas  as  they  run,  pursuing  their  way  over 
places  impassable  for  even  the  nure-footed  mule.  The}'  do 
not  wear  shoes,  but  sandals  or  guaraches,  as  do  also  the  mule- 
teers, merely  pieces  of  rawhide  cut  to  fit  the  sole  of  the  foot, 
and  kept  in  place  by  thongs;  these  they  prefer  to  shoes,  their 
feet  becoming  very  hardy,  suffering  neither  from  cold  nor  the 
gravel  which  is  continually  sifting  between  the  sandals  and 
their  feet.  We  had  traveled  but  four  hours  the  next  da\' 
before  the  ordoi"  to  halt  was  given.  We  have  reached  the 
juraping-offi>lace  and  must  give  the  mules  a  good  rest  for 
the  morning's  arduous  task.  For  the  last  five  days  we  have 
been  shut  up  in  dark  primeval  forests,  pursuing  our  rough 
path  over  heights  and  along  ravines,  but  now  we  have* 
reached  the  ]>innaclc  to  which  we  have  been  ascending  ever 
since  we  left  Durango,  and  in  the  morning  will  commence 
to  descend. 


lOG 
A  Grand  Vie-w. 

By  ascendini^'  a  little  eminence  near  cam[»,  and  vvalkiug 
a  short  distance  through  the  woods,  I  came  upon  one  of  the 
grandest  and  most  sublime  displays  of  mountain  scenery,  I 
ever  beheld.  Standing  on  a  rocky  peak,  I  hung,  as  it  were, 
over  an  abyss  extending  below  me  for  thousands  of  feet — I 
may  say  for  miles — I  could  see  a  stream,  which  resembled 
a  silver  thread,  and  farms  along  its  bank;  it  seemed  I  could 
throw  a  stone  so  that  it  would  fall  within  their  peaceful 
premises;  far  below  hung  white  clouds,  and  the  blue  ether 
seemed  to  envelop  me,  and  on  every  hand,  rose  mountain 
peak  on  mountain  peak,  in  awful  sublimit3\  But,  from  my 
lofty  perch,  I  could  command  them  all,  and  far  to  the  west- 
ward the  mountains  sank  away  and  the  sun's  slanting  rays 
reflected  from  the  Pacific  Ocean.  From  this  place,  although 
our  destination  is  almost  within  the  scope  of  our  vision,  it 
will  take  us  seven  days  to  reach  it,  and  truly  when  I  cast  my 
eye  over  this  rough  vista,  it  seems  the  mountain  barriers 
could  never  be  passed. 

We  began  the  next  morning  to  descend  from  our  lofty  em- 
inence, and  reached  Duraznito  about  2  o'clock  P.  M.  Our 
road  was  a  winding,  terrific  stairway  of  twelve  miles;  the 
glimpses  of  the  grand  and  beautiful  tilled  me  with  awe  and 
ecstasy.  We  have  clianged  climates  in  the  course  of  a  few 
hours.  This  morning  we  were  shivering  from  cold,  and  now 
we  seek  the  shade  ot  the  tig  tree  and  bless  the  soft  wind. 
Peach  trees  are  in  bloom  about  us.  This  little  place  is  situ- 
ated, as  it  were,  on  a  shelf  of  the  mountain,  by  which  it  is 
shadowed,  and  still  beneath  it  lies  a  deep  gorge  or  valley. 
We  are  now  in  one  of  the  tinest  gold  and  silver-bearing  re- 
gions ill  Mexico. 

A  short  distance  from  Duraznito,  and  at  the  foot  of  the 
mountain,  we  found  ripe  blackberries.  Upon  reaching  the 
summit  of  the  mountain  we  had  a  tine  view.  Far  beneath 
us  was  Duraznito,  the  smoke  of  its  humble,  tile-roofed  dom- 
icils  ascending  in  s[)iral  columns,  and  the  deep  valley  still 
further  down,  and  the  grand  mountains,  that  seemed  like  the 
giants  of  creation,  basking  in  the  rosy  dawn.  Here  is  cer- 
tainly mountain  scenery  unrivaled  by  any  in  the  world. 
The  lakes  of  Switzerland  would  be  but  drops  in  the  infinity 
of  the  natural  grandeur  about  us.  A  narrow  trail  winds  for 
the  most  part  along  the  sides  of  immense  mountains,  which 
is  just  wide  enough  to  admit  our  mules  single  tile,  with  tre- 
mendous heights  rising  perpendicularly  above  us — an  awful 


167 

gulf  of  space  below  us.  One  false  step  would  cost  a  life. 
The  sun  was  intensely  hot  whenever  we  were  exposed  to  it, 
but  for  the  most  part  we  were  protected  by  the  shadow  of 
the  mountains,  around  and  over  which  we  were  winding, 
looking,  in  comparison,  like  a  procession  of  ants  upon  the 
donie  of  St.  Peter's,  Rome.  This  tiresome  and  perilous  road 
was  cheered  by  the  sound  of  laughing  rivulets  and  there  is 
something  exquisiteh'  pleasant  about  these  mountain  soli- 
tudes. We  had  traveled  hardly  an  hour  along  a  more  fear- 
ful trail  than  ever,  a  portion  of  the  road  called  Buenos  Ay  res, 
when  one  of  the  mules  lost  his  footing  and  fell,  bounding 
down  the  mountain  side  as  an  india  rubber  ball  would  down 
a  flight  of  stairs,  and  dashing  to  pieces  below.  The  tram 
moved  on  as  if  nothing  had  happened,  it  not  being  an  unu- 
sual occurence,  and  cam[)ed  for  the  night  upon  a  level 
•eminence  a  short  distai^ce  further  on. 

We  broke  camp  early  next  morning,  and  commenced  our 
day's  travel  by  ascending,  as  usual,  and  passing  along  more 
frightful  clift's — warily,  from  j^esterday's  accident.  Passed 
Piedra  Gorda,  quite  a  rancho,  beyond  which  we  came  in 
view  of  a  mountain  called  El  Pyramido,  or  The  Pyramid,  a 
magnificent  freak  of  nature;  the  base  is  covered  with  dark 
woods,  from  which  shoots  up  a  shaft  of  solid  bare  stone,  ta- 
pering gradually  to  the  top.  It  is  certainly  gi-ander  than  all 
the  pyramids  of  Egypt  combined. 

As  we  descended  the  climate  became  warmer,  and  instead 
of  pines,  we  passed  through  groves  of  flowering  trees  and 
lemon  trees  bending  with  yellow  fruit.  By  midday  we  had 
reached  the  bottom  of  the  gorge,  or  base,  as  it  were,  of  the 
mainrango  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  and  on  the  banks  of  a  stream 
running  westward.  Our  road  lay  along  this  stream,  crossing 
and  recrossing  it  several  times;  we  camped  at  Agiia  Caliente. 
Before  reaching  camp  we  passed  some  mud  lints  and  by  El 
Pavor,  where  an  arastra,  or  atana,  was  in  operation,  working 
silver  ore.  It  is  sunset,  and  thousand-  of  parrots  and  flocks 
of  birds  of  beautiful  plumage  are  floating  down  from  the  ad- 
jacent mountains  to  roost  in  the  woods  along  the  stream. 
We  started  earlj'  next  morning,  to  take  advantage  of  the 
oool  of  the  day,  to  cro.ss  the  El  i^spinaso  del  Diablo,  or 
*'The  Devil's  Backbone" — (hereafter  described)  a  fear- 
ful mountain  ridge,  and  said  to  be  the  last  of  our 
very  bad  road,  camping  on  the  river  at  El  Palmar. 
The  next  day  our  trail  li.y,  for  the  most  part,  through  dense 
tropical  woods.  Our  attention  was  attracted  by  the  strange 
varieties  of  trees,  and  especially  the    ban^'an,  wliose  roots 


168 

spring  from  the  upper  branches,  and  trend  down  to  the  earth 
and  then  take  root.  Great  numbers  of  parrots  flocked 
through  the  woods,  almost  deafening  us  with  their  screams. 
Our  party  shot  several,  and  we  made  a  feast  of  parrot,  which 
we  found  verj'  palatable — in  fact  delicious. 

After  a  warm  day's  travel  we  arrived  next  day  at  Puerto 
San  Marcos,  our  road  pursuing  the  river  all  day.  We  camped 
at  a  miserable  little  rancho,  one  day's  travel  from  Mazatlan. 
The  weather  was  quite  warm,  but  the  trail  was  more  tolera- 
ble, passing  several  ranchos  and  plantain  groves,  and  fields 
enclosed  with  hedges  of  orgona  cactus,  planted  like  posts  in 
the  ground.  On  the  next  day  we  reached  a  broad  wagon 
road,  within  a  few  miles  of  Mazatlan,  and  on  an  eminence 
near  the  city  the  sea  broke  upon  our  view.  Just  before  en- 
tering the  city  we  underwent  the  scrutiny  of  the  Custom- 
House  oflicers. — From  a  traveler's  report. 

The  Devil's  Backbone. 

On  the  road  from  Durango  to  Mazatlan  one  of  the  grand- 
est scenes  presented  by  nature  is  the  ridge  that  juts  out 
from  one  mountain  to  another,  called  "  El  Espinaso  del  Di- 
ablo." It  seems  that  the  surroundings  suggested  the  not 
very  euphonious  connection  with  the  anatomy  of  his  Sa- 
tanic Majesty.  The  traveler  cautiously  picks  his  way 
over  a  road  over  this  ridge  with  precipices  falling 
almost  perpendicularly  for  thousands  of  feet  on  either 
side.  The  trail  is  very  narrow  and  over  hard,  smooth 
rocks  that  the  storms  of  thousands  of  years  have  failed  to 
wear  awa3^  It  gives  the  traveler  a  sensation  that  he  will 
never  forget,  as  he  looks  upon  either  side  into  an  abysa 
yawning  at  his  very  feet,  and  the  sight  is  so  fearful  that  he 
hastens  over,  shuddering  at  depths  that  make  the  stoutest 
fear  to  peer  into.  One  traveler  describes  his  feelings  by 
saying  that  ho  involuntarily  closed  his  eyes  to  shut  off  the 
fearful  sight  befcre  him.  Another  says  the  precipices  on 
either  side  are  ''^imense  chasms  or  clefts  in  the  mountains, 
which  are  so  deep  that  you  can  hardly  see  the  bottom  if  the 
attempt  is  made  to  peer  into  their  depths.  In  every  direc- 
tion high  and  lofty  peaks  extend  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach, 
lifting  Uieir  rugged  mountain  tops  with  bare  rocky  summits 
heavenwards  for  hundreds  of  miles.  This  high  ridge  is  re- 
ally the  summit  of  one  of  the  mountains  and  presents  the 
only  route  practicable  for  pack  trains  over  the  mountains. 
It  is  the  highway  that  has  been  used  for  many  years,  in  fact 


169 

ever  since  communication  was  opened  in  this  direction  be- 
tween Durango  and  Mazatlan.  A  former  soldier  in  the 
Mexican  army  says  that  he  was  in  a  company  that  went 
over  this  ronte,  and  while  crossing  the  ridge  the  soldiers 
were  ordered  to  cross  on  a  run.  Singularly  no  accident  oc- 
curred, though  he  said  he  shudders  yet  as  he  recalls  his 
feelings  while  keeping  his  place  in  file  with  his  comrades 
rushing  behind  him. 

The  Short  Route  to  Mazatlan. 

One  of  the  early  pioneers,  who  came  to  California  at  an 
early  day  by  way  of  Durango  and  Mazatlan,  describes  a 
trip  he  made  in  taking  the  short  ronte  from  Durango  to 
Mazatlan,  This  same  gentleman  is  one  of  the  prominent 
citizens  of  Sacramento,  and  from  his  own  lips  we  learned 
the  following  Says  he  :  We  had  heard  tliat  there  was  a 
shorter  route,  and,  being  impatient,  concluded  to  risk  the 
trip.  We  liad  heard  that  it  was  a  fearful  ride  and  too 
dangerous  for  horses  or  even  mules,  and  that  none  but  car- 
gadores,  or  footmen,  dared  to  undertake  the  trip,  but  we 
concluded  that  we  could  go  anywhere  a  Mexican  could,  and 
so  started  upon  the  route,  the  narrator  acting  as  leader. 
We  found  that  the  road  was  rough  enough  at  the  start,  and 
that  it  led  along  a  trail  on  the  side  of  very  precij)itous 
mountains,  so  narrow  that  it  was  impossible  to  pass  should 
any  one  be  met  on  horseback.  At  last  the  trail  seemed  to 
dwindle  to  almost  nothing  upon  the  side  of  one  of  the 
steepest  mountains;  in  facta  fearful  preci])ice  yawned  at  our 
very  feet  on  one  side,  on  the  other  and  above  us  rose  an  al- 
most perpendicular  wall.  Just  ahead  a  smooth,  slanting 
rock  jutted  out  with  its  slippery,  polished  surface  inclin- 
ing into  the  abyss-  beneath  us.  T  did  not  see  it  until  I 
had  passed  around  a  jutting  portion  of  the  mountain,  and 
m}^  horse  stood  uj)on  such  a  narrow  ledge  that  I  dare  not 
<lismount;  I  knew  that  if  I  did  that  my  horse  might  topple 
over  and  we  both  be  hurled  to  destruction,  so  I  concluded  I 
must  take  my  chances  and  make  my  horse  climb  over  that 
smooth  surface  that  appeared  almost  certain  death,  although 
my  hair  stood  on  end,  as  my  horse,  a  faithful  and  sure-footed 
animal  picked  his  way  carefully  across.  I  arrived  safely,  but 
it  was  the  most  foolhardy  act  of  my  life.  Fortunately  my 
companions  had  not  yet  arrived  at  the  nari'owest  p(Vint  and 
I  was  enabled  to  warn  them  to  dismount  and  lead  their  ani- 
mals across.      He  concluded  i)y  saying  that  he  found  after- 


170 

ward  that  a  Mexican  and  his  mule  had  tumbled  off  that 
same  rock  only  a  few  days  before.  The  balance  of  the  road 
was  the  roughest  we  had  ever  traveled,  in  some  places  cov- 
ered with  large  boulders  that  it  seemed  almost  impossible 
tor  a  horse  or  even  a  mule  to  crossover  them.  We  publish 
this  as  a  warning  to  the  many  travelers  who  might  by  mis- 
take undertake  to  travel  over  this  same  route, 

Raneho  de  Morteros. 

The  greatest  part  of  Durango  is  mountainous  in  the  ex- 
treme. In  but  few  instances  throughout  the  whole  of  the 
State  are  ranches  found  that  make  any  pretenses  at  agri- 
culture, the  principal  object  being  to  supply  the  immediate 
wants  of  the  owner  of  the  property,  and  perhaps  a  limited 
local  trade.  Cattle-raising  and  mining  form  the  principal 
pursuit.  The  buildings  are  mostly  of  adobe.  Among  the 
exceptions  to  this  rule  may  be  mentioned  the  buildings  upon 
the  Raneho  de  Morteros.  All  of  the  improvements  are  of 
solid  masonr3'  and  were  built  by  one  of  the  Spanish  nobility 
long  before  the  independence  of  Mexico  drove  its  wealthy 
occupants  from  their  possessions.  This  raneho  is  situated 
in  the  southern  part  of  Durango,  some  twenty  miles  north 
of  Nombre  de  Dios.  The  main  buildings  contain  two 
stories  and  are  built  of  solid  freestone  masonry,  and  form  an 
immense  square  with  eighty  rooms,  the  largest  of  which 
are  twenty  feet  square.  The  floor  is  inlaid  with  tiles  of 
burnt  clay,  both  on  the  upper  and  lower  floors.  The  whole 
building  has  the  appearance  of  a  fortress  or  square  castle 
with  bastions  on  each  corner  loopholed  for  musketry.  The' 
only  entrance  is  through  a  door  of  solid  timbers  four  inches 
thick  protected  completely  with  nail  heads,  entirely  cover- 
eriiig  ihe  outside.  An  inner  square,  or  court,  with  no  roof 
is  in  the  center  of  the  structure,  with  a  porch  bounding  it  on 
all  sides,  the  roof  of  the  porch  being  supported  by  solid 
stone  pillars  about  one  foot  in  diameter.  This  court  admits 
the  only  light  into  the  building  through  inner  windows.  The 
upper  story  is  reached  by  a  stone  staircase  from  the  lower 
floor.  The  ceiling  is  made  of  massive  timbers,  upon 
which  are  laid  the  tiles  of  the  upper  floor.  The  roof  is 
covered  with  tiles  of  the  same  material,  and  is  flat  with 
barely  enough  incline  to  drain  the  water  from  the  roof. 
Adjoining  this  building  is  the  church,  also  of  solid  masonry, 
with  tower  containing  four  bells.  Stone  acqueducts  extend- 
ing for  two  miles  conduct  water  from  a  spring  to  the  haci- 


171 

euda  and  also  to  a  large  rail!  built  of  the  same  durable  ma- 
terial. Tlie  corral  for  the  stock,  and  even  the  fences  extend- 
ing for  miles  are  all  built  of  stone.  Six  large  granaries 
20x100  feet  each  are  constructed  for  the  grain  that  is  grown 
on  this  ranch.  The  grain  patio  or  threshing  floor  is  also  of 
solid  masonry.  The  huts  of  the  peons  surround  this  feudal 
castle  who  labor  for  their  master  in  the  fields  surrounding. 
These  large  cornfields  extend  for  miles  and  are  cultivated  in 
the  priniitive  Mexican  fashion  with  immense  returns  to  the 
owners.  Dr.  Benjamin  Cory,  of  San  Jose,  while  visiting 
Durango,  stopped  for  some  time  at  this  rancho,  and  we  are 
indebted  to  him  for  the  above  description.  The  Doctor  was 
much  ])leased  with  his  visit  to  this  princely  estate  and  rode 
over  the  land  wtth  a  view  to  its  purchase  for  parties  in  San 
Jose.  He  describes  it  as  the  most  desirable  of  any  property 
he  found  in  the  State  of  Duransro. 


Mines  of  Durango. 

The  gold  mine  of  La  Republicana  is  located  on  the  side 
of  a  high  mountain  near  Guadalupe.  It  is  said  to  be  a  very 
valuable  mine,  as  far  as  richness  is  concerned,  but  the  vein 
is  narrow  and  the  rock  of  the  greatest  jiossible  hardness. 
It  is  owned  by  the  Yriarte  family,  who,  unable  to  work  it 
tor  lack  of  ci\4)ital,  merely  keep  the  mine  worked  just 
enough  to  hold  possession.  The  mine  might  pay  well,  as 
one  traveler  reports  its  assa^-s  at  about  70  j)er  cent.  Five 
leagues  southeast  by  south  of  Guadalupe  is  the  old  mine  of 
Es|)iritos  Santo,  another  mine  of  the  Spanish  times  now 
under  water.  There  are  several  other  old  mines  in  the  vi- 
cinity ot  Guadalupe,  but  they  are  so  filled  up  with  rubbish 
that  it  is  difficult  to  s[)eak  of  their  richness  with  any  cer- 
tainty, although  fabulous  stories  are  told  of  some  of  them, 
which  seem  })robable  enough  from  the  fact  that  (.iuadalupe 
stands  in  their  midst,  a  proof  of  mineral  wealth  and  success- 
ful mining. 

The  Vaca  San  Marcus  and  Bismarck  mines  are  described 
by  Dr.  Benjamin  Cory  of  San  Jose,  as  follows  .  "  These 
mines  are  kx.ated  in  the  district  of  Parrillis,  about  sixty 
miles  south  of  the  city  of  Durango  and  about  twelve  miles 
from  the  town  of  ISTombre  de  Dios.  In  1848  these  mines 
yielded  in  silver  ore  ^700,000,  according  to  a  certificate 
which  I  have  from  the  Superintendent  of  the  Mint  in  Du- 
rango.    The  owners  at  that  time  were  onlv  450  feet  deep  iu 


172 

the  mine,  but  were  forced  to  ubandon  the  works  on  account 
of  the  quantit}'  of  water.  Our  company  organized  in  Sac- 
ramento some  three  years  ago  have  denounced  the  mine 
and  have  been  in  active  prosecution  of  the  work  ever  since 
the  denouncement.  We  have  steam  hoisting-works  and 
pump  in  operation,  the  first  ever  seen  in  the  State  of  Du- 
rango.  By  the  latest  news  our  pump  has  lowered  the  wa- 
ter about  400  feet  below  the  surface,  and  we  expect  to  get 
into  the  old  bonanza  in  a  short  time..  We  have  but  a  few 
weeks  since  shipped  from  Sacramento  a  pump  of  large  ca- 
pacity. We  have  at  the  mine  an  engineer,  four  California 
miners,  a  cai'j^enter,  a  blacksmith  and  a  number  of  Mexi- 
cans emploj'ed  in  and  about  the  mine.  Wood  and  timber, 
we  find,  is  very  cheaph^  and  easily  obtained.  I  had  two 
assays  made  of  the  ore  from  our  mines,  one  by  the  Profes- 
sor of  Chemistry  in  Santa  Clara  College,  who  reports  his 
assay  at  $250.08  per  ton  and  lead  43  per  cent.  Thomas 
Price,  of  San  Francisco,  assayed  a  piece  for  me,  and  he  gives 
as  a  net  result  :   silver,  $325.02  per  ton." 

Dr.  B.  Cory,  from  whom  we  obtained  the  foregoing,  is  one 
of  the  directors  of  the  company,  as  he  states,  organized 
three  years  ago  under  the  name  of  the  "  Vaca,  San  Marcus 
and  Bismarck  Mining  Compan}^"  with  Mr.  Fred.  Werner  as 
President  ;  P.  A.  Grace,  Secretary  ;  and  E.  E-.  Lyle,  Lewis 
Goodwin,  Geo.  W.  Chesley,  Dr.  B.  Cory  and  Fred.  Werner 
as  Directors.  • 

The  Guarisamey  mines  are  located  north  of  the  mines 
Guarisamey.  "There  are  eight  mines  in  this  mineral  dis- 
trict which  are  known  as  Serano,  (.'opalaja,  Enciuillas,  Co- 
bres,  La  Gallera,  Baragon,  and  several  others,  belonging  ta 
Mr.  Frank  McManus,  an  American  resident  of  Chihuahua. 
These  mines  yield  ore,  the  average  of  which  gives  $140  per 
ton.  The  last  jierson  who  worked  them  regularly,  Mr.  San- 
chez, extracted  yearly  a  ])rofit  of  $78,000  in  silver.  His 
mode  of  working  was  in  the  old  Mexican  patio  amalgamat- 
ing manner — grinding  his  ores  with  the  arastra.  Still,  with 
all  the  disadvantages  attending  the  want  of  proper  machin- 
ery he  was,  as  can  be  seen  from  the  figures  above,  enabled 
to  realize  a  handsome  yearly  profit.  Upon  the  advent  of 
Maximilian  he  vsided  with  the  Imperialists  and  took  flight 
to  save  his  life,  having  sold  his  mines  for  a  mere  pittance. 
Some  tin  placers  are  also  found  in  this  State. 


O    £ 


o 


173 

The  principal  mining  districts  of  Durango  are  :  San  Dimas, 
Oavilanes,  Guarisamey,  Tamasula,  Canelas,  Sianori,  Topia, 
Picaclios,  Birainoa,  Bajada,  Papasquiera,  Guanacevi,  Indee  El 
Oro,  Cnencam^  and  Mapimi.  Tlie  other  mining  districts 
given  by  Garcia  Cubasare:  Topia,  Torainil,  Corpus,  Coraitala, 
Durango,  Noria,  Avino  and  Coneto. 

The  Mapimi  mines  have  been  worked  for  centuries,  enrich- 
ing their  owners  for  several  generations.  Originally  these 
mines  were  worked  largely  by  the  Spaniards,  until  their  ex- 
pulsion in  1829.  Since  that  time  they  have  been  worked  by 
the  Mexicans  until  a  few  years  ago,  when  they  were  pur- 
chased by  Mr.  A.  B.  Sawyer,  and  have  since  been  worked  by 
him  with  very  gratifying  results.  The  following  statement 
of  Mr.  Sawyer  we  herewith  present  as  his  report  upon  the 
Mapimi  mines,  that  have  been  consolidated  by  the  Durango 
Mapimi  Mining  Company  of  Council  Blutfs,  incorporated  at 
Council  Bluffs,  Iowa: 

There  are  eight  separate  mines  consolidated  and  owned  by 
this  company,  viz.:  Ojuela,  San  Vicente.  Socobon,  Santa  Rita, 
El  Carmen,  Santa  Maria,  La  Soledad  and  San  Judas. 

Ojuela  mine  is  situated  live  (5)  miles  from  the  works,  and  is 
870  feet  in  depth,  with  a  shaft  768  feet  deep.  It  is  a  great  deposit 
of  lead  carbonates  from  eight  (n)  to  one  hundred  (100)  feet  in 
width,  and  carries  gold  from  $5.00  to  $6.00,  and  silver  from 
24  to  33  ounces,  and  lead  15  per  cent,  to  the  ton. 

San  Vicente  is  similar  ore,  lying  about  360  yards  to  the 
south.  This  mine  is  675  feet  deep,  and  carries  from  15  ounces 
to  42  ounces  in  silver,  and  from  $2.50  to  $9.00  in  gold.  The 
ore  body  is  from  five  (5)  to  fifty  (50)  feet  wide. 

Socobon  is  situated  two  hundred  yards  south-east  of  Ojuela, 
and  yields  from  fifteen  (15)  to  twenty-eight  (28)  ounces  in 
silver,  and  carries  from  $3.00  to  $4.50  in  gold,  and  runs  from 
15  per  cent,  to  50  per  cent,  in  lead.  This  mine  has  a  tunnel 
150  feet  long,  and  has  a  depth  of  about  825  feet.  At  the  bot- 
tom of  the  shaft,  on  the  Ojuela  mine,  at  a  small  expense,  this 
mine  can  be  made  to  communicate  by  a  "cross  cut,"  and  also 
with  the  San  Vicente,  working  advantageously  these  three 
mines  through  this  one  shaft,  saving  two  additional  shafts. 

Santa  Bita,  one  of  the  principal  mines,  is  a  continuation  of 
the  Socobon,  and  connected  with  it;  yields  from  twenty  (20) 
to  seventy  (70)  ounces  of  silver,  and  carries  from  $2.50  to 
$20.00  in  gold  to  the  ton.  The  ore  body  is  from  three  (3)  to 
torty  (40)  feet  wide,  with  a  depth  of  from  300  to  450  feet. 

El  Carmen  is  quartz  and  carbonate  of  lead  ;  new  mine ; 
jields  from  50  ounces  to  140  ounces  in  silver,  with  an  ore 


174 

body  from  two  (2)  to  ten  (10)  feet  wide.  This  mine  has  been 
worked  to  the  depth  of  75  feet,  and  is  located  six  miles  from 
the  works. 

Santa  Maria  or  Tecolotes  is  a  new  mine  of  quartz  ore, 
worked  to  the  depth  of  twenty-five  (25)  feet.  It  is  situated 
in  the  main  body  of  the  Bufa  Mountains,  with  an  ore  body 
from  one  (1)  to  four  (4)  feet  wide.  This  mine  has  yielded 
very  rich  ore,  as  high  as  1,000  ounces  to  the  ton.  However, 
as  will  be  seen,  but  little  work  has  been  done  so  far  on  this 
property. 

La  Soledad  and  Las  Arcos,  one  mine  with  two  entrances, 
not  communicating  one  with  the  other,  is  quartz  ore,  and 
yields  from  24  to  120  ounces  of  silver  per  ton,  and  is  from 
three  (3)  to  eight  (8)  feet  wide,  and  in  some  places  twenty  (20) 
feet  wide,  and  is  about  300  feet  deep,  lying  to  the  south-east 
of  the  Santa  Rita. 

San  Judas  is  lead  carbonates,  ranging  from*  15  to  24  ounces 
per  ton  in  silver.  It  is  a  great  body  of  ore  communicating 
with  the  Santa  Rita.  It  carries  gold  from  $2.00  to  $4.50  per 
ton,  and  has  been  worked  to  the  depth  of  900  feet. 

The  company  in  possession  of  the  above  property  are 
making  extensive  preparations  for  the  thorough  working  ot 
their  mines.  They  have  purchased  a  large  engine,  two  large 
boilers,  two  No.  5  Baker  blowers,  and  three  large  smelting 
furnaces,  with  all  the  outfit,  to  be  sent  to  their  mices,  which 
have  cost  the  company  about  $50,000.  This,  with  the  smelters 
and  works  they  already  have  at  the  mines,  should  make  a 
handsome  return  from  the  investment.  We  have  herein 
given  illustrations  of  the  works  at  these  mines,  that  are  among 
the  most  celebrated  of  Durango. 

"  Guarisamey,  the  head  of  the  surrounding  district,  owes  its 
discovery  to  the  lode  of  Tecolota,  which  crosses  the  high  road 
to  Cosala,  in  Sinaloa.  The  abundance  and  richness  of  its  ores 
soon  brought  prospectors,  who  discovered  the  veins  of  Arana, 
Cinco  Senores,  Bolanos,  Pisamide,  Candelaria,  Dolores,  and 
Topia,  with  many  others,  every  one  of  which  was  worked 
profitably.  These  lodes,  or  the  most  of  them,  were  de- 
nounced by  Zambrano,  and  all  produced  bonanzas,  some  of 
which  were  very  rich. 

"  The  mine  of  Arana  was  remarkable  for  containing  be- 
tween two  small  strips  of  rich  ore,  a  cavity  filled  (like  the 
bovedas  of  the  mine  in  Zavala  at  Catorce)  with  a  rich  metal- 
liferous dust,  composed  almost  entirely  of  gold  and  silver.  It 
was  also  distinguished  by  many  of  those  rich  spots  commonly 
called  'clavos,'  which,  although  of  small  extent  in   a  hori- 


175 

zontal  position,  were  constant  in  perpendicular  depth.  The 
'cla-^-os'  were  worked  to  the  depth  of  180  varas,  though  the 
mine  had  no  shaft ;  and  during  the  whole  of  this  space,  the 
most  ordinary  ores  yielded  from  10  to  15  marcs  to  the  monton 
of  fifteen  quintals,  while  the  richest  are  said  to  have  produced 
from  70  to  105."— [Ward  on  Mexico  in  1827.] 

The  tin  mines  of  Durango  have  lately  been  opened  by  the 
Durango  Tin  Mining  Co.,  a  large  amount  of  capital  having 
been  invested.  It  is  stated  that  the  Durango  Tin  Mining  Co. 
is  working  some  75  men,  and  in  March  last  began  smelting. 
No  shipments  of  tin  have  yet  been  made.  Mexican  wagon 
freighters  have  offered  to  put  the  tin  down  at  Laredo,  Texas, 
for  two  and  a  half  cents  per  pound,  and  a  German  firm  has 
offered  to  deliver  it  to  New  \  ork  from  the  mines  at  four  and 
a  half  cents  per  pound.  The  Mexican  Central  Railroad  will 
reach  the  mines  during  the  present  year,  and  another,  the 
Mexican  National,  at  a  later  period.  When  these  roads  are 
completed  the  company  can  ship  its  tin  by  way  of  El  Paso, 
Eagle  Pass,  or  Laredo.  Some  specimens  of  the  ore  assay  as 
high  as  75  per  ceiiit.  pure  tin. 

Iron  Mines  of  Durango. —  The  Journal  of  Charcoal 
Iron  Workers  furnishes  the  following  interesting  account  of 
the  Piedra  Azul  (Blue  Stone)  Iron  Works,  situated  on  the 
banks  of  the  Rio  Tunal,  some  five  miles  south  of  Durango, 
Mexico.  These  works  consist  of  a  blast  furnace,  35  x  8  inches; 
a  heating  furnace,  a  puddling  fuinace,  one  train  of  rolls,  two 
sinking  tires,  one  wooden  helve  hammer,  and  three  smith 
tires.  Power  is  obtained  from  a  masonry  dam  across  the  Rio 
Tunal,  giving  a  head  and  fall  of  17  feet.  There  are  four 
wheels — two  over-shot,  one  under-shot  and  one  turbine. 

The  blast  furnace  is  built  of  stone.  The  bottom  of  the  cruci- 
ble is  24  inches  square  ;  the  top,  which  is  5  feet  6  inches  higher, 
is  32  inches  square.  The  bosh  then  slopes,  at  an  angle  of  55° 
from  the  vertical,  to  90  inches  diameter.  The  crucible  and 
bosh  are  built  of  sandstone,  brought  by  wagons  200  miles. 
The  shaft  of  the  furnace  is  constructed  of  a  silica  lire-brick, 
made  from  clay  and  crushed  quartz.  It  runs  nearly  straight 
for  the  tirst  ten  feet  above  the  bosh,  and  is  then  drawn  in  by 
curved  lines  to  the  open  top,  32  inches  in  diameter. 

Blast  is  delivered  cold  from  two  2^-inch  open  tuyeres,  the 
air  being  supplied  by  two  iron  blast  cylinders,  60  inches  diam- 
eter and  5  feet  stroke,  placed  horizontally,  and  operated  by  an 
over-shot  wheel.  The  charge  is  raised  by  hand  winch,  on  an 
inclined  plane,  to  the  tunnel  head,  and  consists  of  one  buggy  of 
oak  charcoal,  seven  to  ten  "batteas"  of  ore,  two  batteas  of  a 


176 

rotten  limestone,  and  one-half  battea  of  clay.    These  batteas  are 
wooden  dishes,  and  each  contains  two  arrovas  (501b8.)  of  ore. 

The  charge  may,  therefore,  be  considered  at  from  350  to 
500  lbs.  of  ore,  50  lbs.  of  limestone,  15  lbs.  of  clay  to  20 
bushels  of  charcoal. 

The  average  daily  product  of  the  furnace  is  60  quintals 
(6,000  lbs.)  pig  iron,  the  ore  yielding  60  per  cent,  in  the  fur- 
nace, and  requiring  one  and  three-quarter  quintals  of  charcoal 
to  one  of  iron  =  to  175  bushels  of  20  lbs.  to  one  ton  (2,000 
lbs.)  of  pig  iron. 

Connected  with  the  furnace  plant  there  is  a  puddling  fur- 
nace and  a  heating  furnace,  in  both  of  which  pine  wood  is  used 
for  fuel.  There  are  also  two  sinking  iires,  in  which  pig  iron 
and  scrap  can  be  converted  into  blooms.  A  short  wooden 
helve  trip  hammer,  raised  by  four  cams  on  a  wheel  revolving 
at  right  angles  to  the  hammer  helve,  is  used  for  shingling  the 
loupes  and  puddle  balls.  The  cams  strike  the  helve  back  of 
the  hammer  head,  and  a  spring  piece  assists  in  intensifying 
the  force  of  the  blow. 

The  smith  fires  use  pine  charcoal  for  fuel.  The  charcoal  is 
made  in  the  Sierra  Madre  Mountains  in  small  heaps,  by  In- 
dians, and  most  of  it  is  brought  in  upon  the  backs  of  burros. 
As  these  animals  carry  only  8  to  10  arrovas  (200  to  250  lbs.), 
and  in  some  instances  can  make  but  a  trip  to  and  from  the 
iron  works  in  three  days,  it  is  not  surprising  that  oak  charcoal 
sells  at  12^  cents,  and  pine  charcoal  at  15  cents  per  arrova. 
Reduced  to  a  bushel  of  20  lbs.,  this  would  equal  10  cents  per 
bushel  for  oak,  and  12  cents  for  pine  charcoal. 

The  charcoal  is  of  good  quality,  but  much  reduced  in  size 
by  handling  and  transportation.  The  price  of  the  charcoal 
could  be  considerably  reduced  if  the  iron  works  produced  its 
own  fuel  from  wood  more  convenient  to  it. 

Besides  the  iron  works  before  described,  the  Iron  Mountain 
Company,  of  Durango,  Mexico,  was  incorporated  in  New 
York,  and  now  proposes  to  erect  extensive  works,  consisting 
of  a  blast  furnace,  with  capacity  of  200  tons  of  iron  per  week, 
and  a  large  foundry.  This  last-named  company  hold  the  title 
to  the  whole  of  this  immense  iron  deposit,  called  the  Iron 
Mountain,  near  Durango,  with  the  exception  of  one  seventy- 
third,  which  is  held  by  the  former  company. 

Ward,  in  his  work  on  Mexico,  in  1821,  says,  in  speaking  of 
the  iron  mines  of  Durango  :  "Durango  might  in  two  years  be 
rendered  the  depot  of  iron  for  Sombrerete,  Zacatecas,  Catorce, 
Eatopilas,  and  all  the  mining  districts  south  of  Chihuahua 
[We  might  add,  for  the  whole  Republic],  nor  would  the  sue 


177 

cess  of  the  iron  mines  already  taken  up  at  Enearnacion  in- 
terfere with  this  prospect,  as  their  market  would  he  con- 
fined to  the  central  mining  states,  bej'ond  which,  from  the 
difficulties  of  conirannication,  their  operations  would  hardly 
be  extended."   (Ward on  "Mexico,"  in  1827.) 

This  fiulyect  has  attained  more  importance  since  the  con- 
struction of  railroads  has  been  commenced  throughout  the 
Republic,  and  the  cost  of  iron  imported  for  rails  is  as  fol- 
lows, taken  from  tlie  "El  Minero  Mexicano'' of  December 
9th,  1880: 

•     Per  Ton. 

Steel  rails  in  England $28.00 

"  Umted  States 31.00 

COST  OF  RAILS  IN  MEXICO. 

Price  in  England $28.00 

Freight  to  Vera  Cruz  9.00 

Landing 2.00 

Freight  to  Mexico  Recording  to  tariff 54.32 


Total $93.32 

COST  OP  RAILS  IN  SAN  LUIS  POTOSI. 

In  England ^ $28.00 

Freight  to  Tampico  . .  „ 9. 00 

Lauding 4. 00 

Freight  to  San  Luis  Potosi 60.00 

Total     $101.00 

Cost  of  rails  in  New  York .• $31.00 

Freight  to  Tampico 15.00 

Landing 4.00 

Freight  to  San  Luis  Potosi GO.OO 

Total $110.00 

The  El  Minero  Mexicano  very  naturally  deduces  from 
this  that  the  rails  had  better  be  purchased  in  England,  nnd 
imported  to  the  ports  of  the  republic,  on  account  of  the  differ- 
ence in  the  price  of  the  rails  as  well  as  the  freight.  But  if 
the  extensive  iron  mines  of  Durango  were  developed  the 
rails  could  be  manufactured  in  the  republic  at  a  less  price 
than  they  can  be  imported  from  either  of  the  points  men- 
tioned, since  the  rails  could  be  transported  over  the  table 
lauds  of  Duransro.  south-east  to  Mexico,  over  a  railroad  now 
12         ° 


178 

being  built  on  a  highway  that  is  comparatively  level,  that 
puts  the  state  in  direct  communication  with  the  City  of 
Mexico  and  the  numerous  railroads  that  are  being  built  from 
that  pcni.t  throughout  the  re[)ublic.  Then  the  rails  could 
also  be  trans})orted  north  to  the  Southern  Pacific  or  Texas 
raihvays  and  shipped  to  El  Paso,  and  from  thence  to  Guay- 
mas  and  Mazatlan,  or  to  Chihuahua,  to  the  railroad  that  is 
being  built  from  that  point  to  El  Paso,  and  through  a  prac- 
ticable pass  in  the  mountains  to  Mazatlan,  by  way  of  Fuerte 
and  Culiacan,  or  to  Alamos  and  Guaymas.  A  large  propor- 
tion of  the  territory  of  Durango,  as  we  have  seen,  is  situated 
upon  the  table  lands,  and  the  capital  is  in  the  midst  of  a 
vast  plain,  or  rather  in  the  south-western  portion  of  the  plain, 
that  opens  up  a  communication  both  to  the  north-east,  and 
south-east  to  the  points  designated.  On  the  west,  however, 
and  the  soatli-west,  the  Sierra  Madre  extends,  reaching  the 
valleys  and  plains  of  Sinaloa  by  immense  steppes  or  elevated 
plateaus,  one  above  the  other,  which  forms  a  barrier  that 
is  almost  inaccessible,  although  a  pass^is  reached  on  the 
north-west  leading  into  Chihuahua,  where  the  descent  is 
more  gradual,  making  communication  practicable  with  Chi- 
huahua and  Alamos,  in  Sonora,  thence  to  Fuerte,  and  from 
thence  to  Culiacan  and  Mazatlan,  and  Cosala,  a  new  wagou 
road  having  lately  been  built  from  Mazatlan  to  Cosala.  The 
iron  industry  is  a  most  important  one  to  Mexico;  and  foreign 
capital,  invested  properly,  would  be  of  great  value  to  the 
republic,  as  well  as  very  remunerative  to  the  owners.  A 
foundry  could  be  built  at  the  mines,  and  rails  manufactured, 
and  all  kinds  of  mining  machinery,  and  thus  a  vast  trade 
could  be  opened.     Says  Mr.  Ward: 

"  Iron  abounds  within  a  quarter  of  a  league  of  the  gates 
of  Durango.  The  Cerro  de  Mercado  is  entirely  composed 
of  iron  ores,  of  two  distinct  qualities,  (crystallized  and  mag- 
netic) but  almost  equally  rich,  as  they  both  contain  from  60 
to  75  per  cent,  of  pure  iron,  'i  he  operation  of  smelting 
these  ores  is  attended  with  considerable  difficulty.  An  iron 
foundry,  lately  set  up  upon  the  banks  of  the  river,  one 
league  from  l)urango,  has  failed,  from  the  want  of  knowl- 
edge of  the  proper  mode  of  treating  the  ores.  A  hacienda 
has  been  built  in  a  situation  where  there  is  both  water  for 
machiner3'  and  an  abundant  sup[)ly  of  timber  and  charcoal; 
but  as  the  proprietors  do  not  possess  the  means  of  construct- 
ing a  road  for  carts,  (although  from  the  nature  of  the 
gr. lund,  it  might  be  accomplished  with  a  very  inconsidera- 
ble outlay)  the   conveyance   of   the  ores  on  mules  to  the 


179 

reduction  works  materially  diminishes  the  protits  of  the 
speculation.  With  regard  to  the  difficulty  of  working 
them,  it  might  undoubtedly  be  overcome,  as  from  the 
affinity  of  the  iron  of  El  Mereado  to  that  of  Dannemora, 
tjwedish  forgemen  would  understand  the  nature  of  the  proc- 
ess at  once." 

Since  the  writing  of  Mr.  Ward's  book,  the  ore  has  been 
successfully  treated,  and  manufactured  into  excellent  mining 
tools,  etc. 

Mr.  Geo.  F.  liuxton,  in  his  valuable  work,  entitled, 
"Adventures  in  Mexico  and  the  Rocky  Mountains,"  jiub- 
lished  in  1848,  says  that  "  this  enormous  mass  of  malleable 
iron,  as  he  terms  it,  is  isolated  on  the  plain,  and  is  supposed 
to  be  an  aerolite,  and  is,  consequently,  not  connected  with 
any  ledge  or  bed  of  ore.  Ue  also  says  its  composition  and 
physical  character  is  identified  with  certain  aerolites  which 
•fell  in  1751,  in  Uungary.  It  contains  75  per  cent,  of  pure 
iron,  according  to  the  analysis  of  a  Mexican  chemist,  and 
some  specimens  wliich  Humboldt  procured  were  analyzed 
by  the  celebrated  Kla[»r()th,  with  about  the  same  result." 

We  obtain  tlie  following  data  from  a  valuable  pamphlet 
published  in  Mexico  in  1878,  entitled,  "El  Cerro  de  Mer- 
eado dc  Durango  por  Federico  Weiduer,"  in  which  the 
writer  compares  very  justly  the  difference  of  the  price  of 
iron  used  in  the  foundry  at  Mazatlan  with  the  price  in  En- 
gland and  also  at  Durango,  as  follows: 

"  At  the  port  of  Mazatlan,  for  example,  in  all  iron  of  sec- 
ond fusion  (pig  iron)  which  is  used  in  the  establishment  of 
Senor  D.  Joaquin  Redo,  as  well  as  first  material  (or  iron 
ore)  the  price  per  ton  of  2,240  lbs.  which  is  manufactured 
or  melted  in  England,  is  as  follows: 

First  price  of  the  invoice,  per  ton $15  to  $25 

Freight  by  water,  per  ton   5  to      7 

Unloading  and  carriage  by  mules,  per  ton. .  .     5 
Custom  house  duties,  at  BO  cts.  per  hundred,     5 

Total ,,, $3G 

a  little  more  or  less  per  ton,  or  $1.60  per  quintal. 

"  In  the  place  of  English  iron,  if  they  want  to  use  Du- 
rango iron,  the  cost  at  the  foundry  of  Flores  would  be  $3  to* 
$4  per  quintal,  or  $60  to  $80  ]»er  ton. 

"Adding  to  this  the  freight  between  Mazatlan  and  Durango 
at  $3.60  per  quintal,  or  $80  per  ton,  with  the  purchase  price 


180 

at  Mazatlan,  at  $60  to  $80  per  ton,  makes  a  total  of  $156  per 
ton,  more  or  less,  or  $7  per  quintal." 

The  iron  of  Mazatlan,  at  $G  to  $10  per  quintal,  when  cast 
by  the  piece,  costs  $12  to  $16  for  complicated  work;  but 
when  half-finished  or  plain,  it  costs  $8  per  quintal,  or  $180 
per  ton;  so  that  in  Duranofo,  the  minimum  price  is  $15  per 
quintal,  or  $336  per  ton.  Adding  to  this  the  freight  to 
Mazatlan,  makes  the  minimum  price  for  finished  iron  $20 
per  quintal,  or  $448  per  ton." 

This  is  sufficient  argument,  we  take  it,  for  the  establish- 
ment of  a  foundry  at  Durango  alongside  of  the  Cerro  de 
Mercado,  or  mountain  of  iron,  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 
The  author  goes  on  to  show  that  since  the  first  cost  in  En- 
gland is  $20  per  ton  while  it  can  be  procured  in  their  neigh- 
borhood for  $4  to  $6  in  ore,  and  carriage  to  a  foundry  erect- 
ed would  not  make  it  more  than  $5  to  $7.  He  also  men- 
tions the  existence  of  furnaces,  retorts,  and  other  apparatus 
which  were  abandoned  by  various  parties  np  to  1856,  on 
account  of  their  being  unable  to  successfully  reduce  the 
ore,  and  points  out  the  fact  that  the  ore  of  the  Cerro  de 
Mercado  can  be  successfully  treated  and  manufactured  at  a 
very  great  profit.  lie  also  publishes  a  scientific  examina- 
tion of  the  ore  and  the  surrounding  locality,  its  extent  and 
analysis,  which  we  condense  below.  He  goes  on  to  explode 
an  error  that  exists  on  the  part  of  travelers  and  scientific 
men  that  this  immense  mass  of  iron  is  an  aerolite,  and  pub- 
lishes in  the  pamphlet  the  geological  structure  or  formation 
around  and  underneath  it,  and  pronounces  the  aerolite  the- 
ory a  cabal  on  the  Cerro  de  Mercado,  and  further  that  it  is 
of  volcanic  origin;  and  points  out  the  fact  that  the  iron 
mines  of  England  have  produced  15,000,000  of  quintals  an- 
nually for  the  last  330  years,  amounting  to  $9,900,000,000, 
or  more  than  seven  times  the  amount  of  gold  and  silver 
coined  from  all  the  mines  of  Mexico  from  1690  to  1803. 
He  says  the  Cerro  de  Mercado  is  1,750  varas  in  length  from 
east  to  west,  and  400  varas  in  width,  and  the  height  from 
the  surface  of  the  plain  of  San  Antoriio  234  varas,  which 
cuts  it,  as  it  were,  in  the  middle  horizontally,  and  the  re- 
sulting estimate  in  cubic  measurement  is  60,000,000  cubic 
varas,  and  by  analysis  of  the  contents  or  percentage  of  pure 
iron  it  contains,  estimates  the  amount  of  ore  in  the  whole 
mass  at  more  than  5,000,000,000  of  quintals,  from  which  he 
calculates  that,  taking  the  percentage  of  pure  iron  to  be  50 
per  cent.,  although  it  assays  75  per  cent.,  the  whole  mass 
will  then  produce  2,500,000,000  quintals  of  metallic  or  pure 


181 

irou,  and,  estimating  its  value  at  $5  per  quintal,  it  would 
iei)resent  not  less  than  the  enormous  sum  of  $12,500,000,- 
000,  or  more  than  three  times  all  the  products  of  the  mines 
of  Mexico  since  1772  to  1880,  which  we  h.ive  estimated  to 
he  about  $4,000,000,000. 

Further,  in  order  to  fully  comprehend  the  immense  amount 
of  iron  in  this  solid  mass,  by  calculating  the  amount  produced 
in  England  at  fifteen  millions  of  quintals  annually  for  the 
last  330  years,  the  whole  amount  produced  is  4,950  millions 
of  quintals,  or  only  a  little  over  one-third  of  the  amount  of 
pure  iron  contained  in  the  Cei-ro  de  Mercado,  which  has 
been  aptly  termed  a  monntain  of  iron,  and  lies  almost  un- 
touched, while  the  same  metal  now  so  much  in  demand 
within  the  boundaries  of  the  republic,  is  imported  from 
England,  as  we  have  already  shown;  the  difference  in  freight, 
as  well  as  first  cost,  giving  the  trade  to  England 

Curious  Caves  of  Durango. 

From  Cosala,  in  Sinaloa,  to  the  foot  of  the  mountains, 
a  distance  of  five  leagues  due  east,  Santa  Ana,  a  small 
rancho,  is  situated,  and  near  it  are  some  mines  of  silver  and 
magistral.  The  road  here  enters  a  cailon,  and  the  traveler 
soon  gets  enveloped  in  the  mountains,  which  rise  almost  per- 
pendicularly. Strata  of  por[)hyry,  granite,  limestone  and 
alabaster  are  found  on  each  side. 

A  small  stream  runs  along  the  bottom  of  the  canon,  and 
leads  up  to  the  table-land,  which  soon  commences.  On  the 
boundaries  of  Durango,  immense  herds  of  cattle  are  seen 
grazing  on  the  plains,  mingling  with  elk  and  the  fallow 
deer,  and  black-tailed  deer;  the  latter,  however,  frequents 
mostly  the  inaccessible  mountains. 

The  celebrated  caves  of  the  state  are  located  30  leagues 
from  San  Antonio,  and  16  leagues  from  C  )sala,  or  about  48 
miles.  The  caves  are  situated  in  a  small  circular  valley  or 
basin  100  yards  in  diameter.  The  road  lies  down  the 
canon,  14  leagues  below,  to  this  basin. 

The  caves  are  called  Las  Cuevas  de  San  Miguel.  The 
largest  is  called  San  Miguel,  and  is  240  feet  in  length  and 
80  feet  high,  and  150  feet  wide,  forming  a  large  room. 
The  roof  is  a  regular  arch  information  or  curvature.  In  the 
back  wall  opjiosite  the  entrance,  arc  found  o[)enings  of  dif- 
crent  sizes.  One  of  them  was])enetrated  by  a  traveler,  who 
describes  them  in  a  book  entitled,  '"The  North-western  Part 
of  Mexico."  He  says,  he  penetrated  130  feet,  anil  found 
intricate  windings  and  subdivisions  or  openings  on  each  side. 


182 

.  The  origin  of  the  caves  is  unknown,  but  it  is  supposed  that 
they  were  inhabited  bj  the  aborigines  or  ancient  Aztecs. 
They  have  never  been  completely  explored,  as  near  as  we 
can  ascertain,  and  the  attention  of  antiquarians  is  called  to 
them,  as  relics  of  the  former  inhabitants  might  be  found. 
From  the  caves,  the  distance  to  Plomosas  is  40  leagues,  and 
to  the  city  of  Durango,  40. 

Coahuila. 

The  state  of  Coahuila  is  divided  into  five  districts:  Sal- 
tillo,  Parras,  Viezca,  Monclova  and  Rio  Grande.  The  state 
is  extremely  mountainous,  and  the  vast  plains  called  the 
Bolson  de  Mapimi  extend  throughout  the  western  portion,  a 
deserted  region  covered  with  sands  and  alkali.  The  princi- 
pal mountains  in  the  north  are  El  Pico  Etereo,  La  Sierra  del 
Carmen,  and  Loraerios  de  Peyotes.  In  the  center,  the 
Sierra  of  Santa  Rosalia,  San  Marcos,  La  Fragua,  La  Paila, 
Sierra  Azul,  Coahuila,  Chiflon,  Angostura,  and  Sierra 
Madre.     Saltillo  is  the  capital,  with  8,000  inhabitants. 

The  whale  state  is  very  sparsely  settled,  and,  as  yet,  is  al- 
most entirely  undeveloped,  on  account  of  its  lack  of  suffi- 
cient water  and  the  constant  incursions  of  the  Apaches  upon 
the  settlements. 

The  principal  productions  of  the  state  are  stock,  and  agri- 
cultural products,  such  as  grapes  and  fruits  of  various  kinds. 
Some  mines  are  also  worked. 

Nuevo  Leon. 

The  state  of  J^ew  Leon  is  bounded  on  the  north  and  north- 
east by  Tamaulipas,  and  on  the  west,  north,  and  south  by  Coa- 
huila, and  on  the  west  and  south  by  San  Luis  Potosi.  In  the 
western  part,  the  state  is  traversed  by  the  Sierra  Mount- 
ains, extending  from  north  to  south,  and  in  the  north-east  it 
is  occupied  by  extensive  table  lands  broken  by  mountain 
peaks  extending  from  the  base  of  the  mountains  toward  the 
north-eastern  border  where  the  table  lands  break  into 
canons  traversed  by  arroyos.  From  the  center  of  the  state 
to  the  eastern  border  an  extensive  plain  stretches  from  the 
base  of  the  mountains.  This  extensive  valley  or  plain  is 
traversed  by  the  river  San  Juan,  which  rises  in  the  mount- 
ains in  the  western  part  of  the  state  and  passes  l^Ionterey, 
the  capital,  which  is  situated  on  its  banks,  and  flows  in  a 
north-easterly  direction  across  the  border  into  Tamaulipas 


183 

and  then  into  the  Rio  Grande.  This  is  tlie  only  river  in 
the  state,  and  its  main  branches  are  the  Pesquiera  and  the 
Kio  Pilon. 

Tlie  valley  of  the  San  Juan  is  very  fertile  on  the  river 
bottoms  and  produces  the  usual  tro|jical  productions.  Stock- 
raising  and  agriculture  constitute  the  principal  trade  of  the 
state.  The  capital  (Monterey)  has  about  13,500  inhabit- 
ants, and  the  state  is  divided  into  44  municipalities,  with  a 
population  of  about  200,000. 

Tamaulipas. 

The  state  of  Tamaulipas  consists  of  the  extreme  north- 
eastern portion  of  Mexico,  and  is  divided  into  four  districts 
— namely,  Del  Norte,  Del  Centre,  Del  Sur,  and  Cuarto  Dis- 
trito.  The  principal  ports  are  Matamoras,  on  the  bank  of 
the  Rio  Bravo  or  Rio  Grande,  near  its  mouth;  Tampico,  on 
the  Tampico,  Soto  la  Marina.  Victoria  is  the  capital  of  the 
state;  inhabitants,  6,000.  The  south-eastern  po:tion  of  this 
state  is  broken  with  the  spurs  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  while 
the  northern  and  north-eastern  portion  is  covered  with 
plains.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north-east  by  the  Rio  Grande 
River  and  Texas  opposite,  and  on  the  east  by  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  and  south  by  Vera  Cruz  and  San  Luis  Potosi,  on 
the  west  by  JSTew  Leon.  A  small  strip  of  the  state  extends 
along  the  Rio  Grande  on  the  north-west. 

The  town  of  New  Loredo  is  the  proposed  northern  termi- 
nus of  the  Mexican  Central  Railroad,  and  is  situated  in  the 
narrow  strip  of  the  state  before  mentioned,  in  the  extreme 
north-western  part  of  the  state.  The  city  of  Matamoras  and 
Tampico  are  its  principal  sea-ports,  and  the  chief  business 
of  the  state  is  stock-raising  and  some  agricultural  j>roduc- 
tions.  Matamoras  is  located  on  the  Rio  Grande  about  20 
miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  Tampico  is  located 
at  the  extreme  south-eastern  portion  of  the  state,  on  the 
Barra  de  Tampico. 

Arts  and  Manufactures. 

To  fully  comprehend  the  progress  made  by  Mexico  in  arts 
and  manufactures,  we  a})pend  the  following  information  from 
the  work  of  the  learned  and  able  writer,  Antonio  Garcia 
Cubas,  published  in  Mexico,  in  1870,  from  which  we  have 
obtained  most  of  our  information  concerning  tlie  resources 
of  Mexico.     The  following  statements  of  facts  will  open  the 


184 


eyes  of  many  who  think  the  people  of  Mexico  a  barbarous 
and  lialf-civilizecl  people;  and  it  may  as  well  be  stated  here, 
that  although  rude  implements  of  agriculture  and  mining 
are  found  to  some  extent  in  portions  of  the  republic,  yet  vast 
improvements  have  been  going  on,  as  the  following  from  the- 
pen  of  Cubas  will  verify.  The  work  has  been  translated  by 
Mr.  George  Henderson,  of  Mexico: 

"  Carved  work  and  filigree  work  in  gold  and  silver  yield 
in  little  or  nothing  to  similar  productions  from  abroad.  The 
carriages  and  household  furniture  made  in  Mexico,  with  the 
exception  of  silkstufl's,  can  compare  in  taste  and  solid  work- 
manship with  the  best  that  can  be  imported  from  foreign 
countries. 

"  In  the  fine  arts,  both  in  painting,  as  well  as  sculpture 
and  architecture,  our  Academy  of  San  Carlos,  reported  by 
travelers  to  be  the  first  in  America,  displays  the  progress 
they  have  acquired.  Some  of  their  works  will  be  exhibited 
to  the  public  at  the  Philadelphia  Exj)Osition.  The  fabrica- 
tion of  texturas,  as  well  as  other  manufactures,  has  increased 
astonishingly.  Several  factories,  sugar-mills,  and  distiller- 
ies, are  established  in  the  states  of  Mexico,  Pueblo,  Vera  Cruz, 
Jalisco,  Morelos,  Guerrero,  Tobasco,   Oaxaca,  and  Yucatan. 

"  Earthenware  is  made  in  Guanajuato,  Mexico,  and  Pueblo 
in  the  state  of  Jalisco;  and  in  the  valley  of  Mexico  there 
are  various  paper  mills;  also,  some  glass  factories  in  Mexica 
and  Pueblo;  also,  (at  Durango)  cotton  factories  in  the 
greater  part  of  the  states;  silk  factories  in  Guanajuato, 
Queretaro,  and  Mexico.  The  number  of  cotton  factories  in 
the  republic  exceeds  seventy.  The  states  that  may  be  con- 
sidered as  manufacturing  districts,  being  those  of  Pueblo, 
Jalisco,  Queretaro,  Mexico,  and  Vera  Cruz," 

This  number  of  factories  existed  in  1875,  and,  since  that 
time,  many  others  have  been  built  in  Sinaloa,  Sonora,  and 
other  states.  Also,  flour-mills,  glass  and  paper  factories- 
have  since  sprung  up,  and  we  only  give  the  data  in  regard 
to  flour-mills  of  the  state  of  Sonora,  obtained  from  Mr. 
David  B.  Blair,  acquired  by  him  through  Mr.  Ortiz,  of  this 
city. 

Total  number  of  flour-mills  on  the  line  of  the  Sonora  R,  R., 
31.  There  are,  besides,  many  small  mills  that  manufacture 
flour  for  local  consumption.  The  total  amount  of  tons  of 
flour  produced  is  9,100  tons,  from  the  various  haciendas  in 
Sonora.  Besides  this,  the  production  of  numberless  other 
wheat-producing  regions  never  reaches  the  port  of  Guay- 
mas. 


183 
Imports  and  Exports. 

The  Mexican  government  maintains  mercantile  relations 
with  England,  France,  the  United  States  of  America, 
Germany,  Spain,  and  the  Island  of  Cuba,  Belgium,  Italy, 
Central  America,  the  United  States  of  Colombia,  and  the 
Equator. 

According  to  the  Annual  Reports,  the  value  of  the  im- 
portations may  be  estimated  at  29,000,000  of  dollars,  as  fol- 
lows: 

For  1875. 

Cotton  and  cotton  goods ...    $10,500,000 

Groceries,  wines  and  spirits 5,000,000 

Articles  free  of  duty ,.    „„oo 3,300,000 

Hardware   and  ironmongery 2,100,000 

Miscellaneous 2,000,000 

Linen  and  hemp  goods 1,400,000 

Woolen  goods 1,400,000 

Mixed  goods 1,400,000 

Silks 1,000,000 

Earthenware,  glass  and  crystal  ware. 600,000 

Drugs  and  chemicals 300,000 


Total $29,000,000 

This  amount  was  imported  from  the  following  countries: 

For  1S75. 

England $10,200,000 

United  States  of  America 7,500,000 

France 4,780,000 

Germany 3,800,000 

Spain  and  the  Island  of  Cuba 1,400,00(> 

United  ^tates  of  Colombia l,200,00u 

Central  America 100,000 

Italy,  Belgium,  and  American  Republics 20,000 


Total $29,000,000 

The    exportations  amounted   to  32,300,000  of  dollars,  as 
follows: 

For  187".. 

Gold  and  si ver  coin $24,000,000 

Ores  and   minerals 1,800.000 

Hides  and  sldns  in  general 1,800,000 

Henequen,  Ixtle  and  coi'dage 1,000,000 


186 


Timber  and  dye  woods $1,000,000 

Coffee 600,000 

Vanilla .  • o , 400,000 

Cochineal 300,000 

Cuttle 200,000 

Tobacco • 150,000 

Orchilla 130,000 

Fine  pearls ,    110,000 

Caoutchouc  or  Indian  Rubber 100,000 

Sarsaparilla 90,000 

Wool 90,000 

Sole  and  upper  leather 80,000 

Indigo ' , 80,000 

Jalap  root o  o  o 80,000 

*'Coquita,"  small  cocoanut . . .  c 50,000 

Frijoles  (beans) 40,000 

Cotton 30,000 

Mother  of  pearl 25,000 

iStarch 25,000 

Wheat 20,000 

Other  agricultural  and  industrial  productions. .  . .  100,000 


Total , 132,300,000 

These  exports  are  made  to  the  following  countries: 

Fur  1875. 

England,  to  the  amount  of $12,500,000 

United  States  of  America 12,000,000 

France 5,000,000 

Germany 1,500,000 

Spain,  and  the  Island  of  Cuba 800,000 

Central  America 150,000 

Italy  and  Belgium 60,000 

$32,000,000 
The  balance  goes  to  other  countries, 300,000 


Total $32,300,000 

[The  above  estimates  we  obtain  from  the  valuable  work 
of  Antonio  Garcia  Cubas  entitled  "The  Republic  of  Mexico," 
published  in  1876  in  the  city  of  Mexico.] 

Thus  we  see  by  a  comparison  of  the  tables  that  England 
imports  nearly  $300,000  more  than  the  United  States  of 
America,  and  that  only  about  one-quarter  of  the  entire  im- 


187 

ports  of  Mexico  come  from  the  United  States,  while  Eng- 
land, in  her  little  island  from  her  warehouses  at  Liverpool 
and  London,  im[)orts  nearly  one-third  of  the  entire  trade, 
and  Germany  imports  less  than  either  the  United  States  or 
England. 

Of  the  exports,  England  still  commands  $500,000  more 
than  the  United  States,  though  they  are  nearly  eqi^al,  each 
absorbing  over  one-third  of  tlie  entire  trade.  The  balance 
of  trade  we  also  see  is  in  favor  of  Mexico,  the  exports  being 
in  excess  of  the  imports  some  $3,000,000.  The  lesson  of  this 
table  we  leave  with  our  readers.  It  is  plain  to  be  seen  that 
with  a  little  effort  the  United  States  may  take  the  lead  and 
eventually  supply  the  most  of  this  trade,  or  by  establishing 
warehouses  in  the  manner  stated  elsewhere,  command  event- 
ually the  greater  proportion  of  the  $30,000,000  or  $40,000,- 
000  imports  annual  trade  of  Mexico.  This  trade,  however, 
we  thus  see  in  its  infancy,  and  as  it  increases  it  would  prove 
of  rich  profit  to  our  ports 

Through  the  Mexican  Consul  we  have  obtained  the  fol- 
lowing data  from  the  '•  Memoria  de  Hacienda  y  Credito  Pub- 
lico," dated  January  12,  1879,  and  issued  as  a  public  docu- 
ment at  the  City  of  Mexico:  "  The  exportations  for  the  year 
1877  to  1878  reaches  the  amount,  according  to  the  balances 
respectively,  of  $28,777,508.07  (No.  5,  Part  IV).  The  le- 
gal importations  of  merchandise  for  the  year  1877-78,  may 
be  estimated  at  the  value  of  $21,462,621.  Probably  during 
the  present  economical  year  (1879}  there  will  be  less  im- 
portations of  foreign  mcrchaiulise.  It  is  calculated  that 
more  in  value  (about  $4,000,000)  are  exported  annually  than 
imported  by  foreign  merchants.  In  the  past  few  years  it 
has  been  notable  that  emigration  to  the  capital  has  increased 
in  Mexico  and  diminished  the  production  of  former  years.'" 
From  the  same  work  we  gather  that  Mexico  is  now  sup[)ly- 
iug  her  own  trade  to  a  considerable  amount  by  home  man- 
ufactures, which  has  not  failed  to  reduce  the  foreign  trade. 
The  same  report  says  the  falling  off  has  been  caused  by  the 
general  etiects  of  revolutions,  and  calculates  the  falling  oft" 
from  1867  to  1877  at  about  $12,000,000.  The  work  was 
printed  in  1878,  and  consequently  the  last  two  years'  report 
has  not  yet  reached  the  i)ublit',  but  from  the  large  importa- 
tions ot  railroad  ac-couterments  which  are  now  being  shipped 
principally  from  England  and  Hamburg,  with  the  brisk  re- 
opening of  her  mines,  will  undoubtedly  bring  her  commerce 
of  the  present  year  up  to  in  the  neighborhood  of  former 
jears,  if  it  does  not  exceed  them.     One  notable   fact  ap- 


188 

peairi,  however,  that  the  balance  of  trade  is  undoubtedly  i» 
favor  of  ]Mexico,  as  she  claims,  of  about  $4:,000,000,  as  a  lib- 
eral estimate.  The  amount  of  smuggling  will  nearly  balance 
the  imports  and  exports  either  way  of  that  class,  but  c:alculat- 
ing  even  that  the  smuggling  of  imports  vastly  exceeds  the  ex- 
ports unlawfully  shipped  and  transported  from  her  borders, 
yet  it  cannot  exceed  it  more  than  tiie  allowance  made  of 
about  $3,000,000;  hence,  in  any  event,  it  is  apparent  that 
Mexico  is  not  being  impoverished,  but  is  gaining  continually 
against  the  commerce  of  other  nations. 

From  the  '' Hacienda  y  Credito  Publico"  of  January 
12th,  1879,  we  also  obtain  the  following  interesting  data: 
From  1874  to  1875,  the  exports  to  England  from  Mexico 
in  various  goods  was  1768,411.  7;  in  metals,  $7,612,788.57;. 
and  other  merchandise,  $838,637.96.  Total,  $9,219,873.40. 
The  same  to  United  States:  various  goods,  $3,476,774.53; 
in  metals,  $6,696,538.55;  other  merchandise,  $184,854.82. 
Total,  $10,358,167.80.  Total  amount  of  exports  in  that 
year  was  $27,318,788,  of  which  the  United  States  received 
$1,138,294.40  more  than  England,  and  over  one-third  of  all 
the  exports  of  Mexico.  The  imports  from  New  Y'ork  City 
alone  in  three  years  and  six  mouths  amounted  to  $3,158,- 
216.48. 

The  "  Boletin  de  Sociedad  Agricola  Mexicana,"  of  De- 
cember 11th,  1880,  an  official  paper,  published  in  Mexico^ 
calculates  the  amount  of  exportations  for  the  year  1880,  in 
round  numbers,  at  about  $35,000,000,  of  which  amount  the 
same  paper  credits  the  productions  of  the  mines  at  about 
$30,000,000 — an  increased  activity  having  taken  place  dur- 
ing the  last  year — and  the  balance,  or  about  $5,000,000,  ia 
the  value  of  the  other  productions  exported. 

The  vast  amount  of  material  being  imported  for  the  con- 
struction of  railroads  makes  it  almos;  impossible  to  reach  a 
calculation  of  the  probable  amount  of  imports,  until  all  the 
official  reports  are  returned  to  the  general  government,  and 
given  to  the  public,  for  the  past  year. 

These  data  are  sufficient  to  encourage  our  merchants  to 
make  an  eflbrt  to  secure  this  valuable  trade,  which  may  be 
increased  almost  indefinitely  on  the  development  of  the  vast 
resources  of  Mexico. 


189 


How  to  Reach  the  Northern  Part  of  Mexico. 

The  Americans  as  a  general  thing,  know  but  little  of  the 
northern  part  of  Mexico,  and  still  less  how  the  traveler,  for 
pleasure  or  business,  can  best  visit  there.  There  are  various 
routes  that  can  be  traveled,  occup)n'ng  niore  or  less  time,  and 
accompanied  with  greater  or  less  risk. 

First,  the  route  trora  the  east  by  way  of  Vera  Cruz  to  the 
City  of  Mexico,  and  thence  by  stage  or  diligence  to  San  Luis 
Potosi  and  Zacatecas ;  from  thence  to  the  city  of  Durango  ; 
from  Durango  the  traveler  can  proceed  to  Mazatlan  on  the 
Pacific  or  the  city  of  Chihuahua.  From  either  of  these  places 
he  can  visit  in  detail  or  at  his  leisure  the  whole  length  and 
breadth *of  the  Sierra  Madre  and  Sierra  Caliente  or  Hot  Coun- 
try. The  old  route  by  stage  from  San  Antonio  to  El  Paso  is 
no  longer  necessary,  since  the  traveler  can  reach  El  Paso  by 
the  Atchison,  Topeka  and  Santa  Fe  railroad,  or  by  the 
Texas  and  Missouri  Pacific  and  Iron  Mountain  II.  R.  The 
completion  of  the  Mexican  Central  to  the  city  of  Chihuahua 
and  from  thence  to  Durango  will  also  be  an  improvement  upon 
the  stage  traveling  over  the  same  route.  From  Durango  the 
stage  may  be  taken  to  Zacatecas,  via  Nombre  de  Dios,  Som- 
brerete  and  Fresnillo.  From  Zacatecas  connection  by  stage 
may  be  made  for  San  Luis,  and  from  thence  to  Mexico  City 
or  to  Tampico  on  the  Gulf.  Or  stage  may  be  taken  from 
Zacatecas  to  Lagos  and  from  thence  to  Guadalajara.  In  fact 
from  the  principal  cities  over  the  whole  Republic  stage  com- 
munication may  be  found. 

While  it  is  not  desirable  to  travel  over  the  hot  lands  of  the 
Gulf  during  the  sickly  season,  yet  if  the  traveler  desires  he 
may  start  from  Brownsville,  Texas,  and  travel  by  stage  by  way 
of  Matamoras,  Camargo,  Mier,  Monterey,  Saltillo,  through  to 
Mexico  City,  or  to  Zacatecas,  and  from  thence  to  Durango, 
Chihuahua  and  El  Paso. 

For  the  northwestern  part  of  the  Republic,  some  travelers 
prefer  to  take  the  steamer  from  San  Francisco  to  Mazatlan  or 
Guaymas.  This  steamer  leaves  San  Francisco  for  the  afore- 
said Mexican  ports,  touching  at  Ca})e  St.  Lucas  and  La 
Paz  in  Lower  California,  Mazatlan  and  Guaymas  in  Sinaloa 
and  Souora.  From  Mazatlan  the  voyager  can  find  convey- 
ances to  any  part  of  Sinaloa,  Sonora,  Durango,  or  Chihua- 
hua. Besides  the  stage  routes  before  mentioned  we  might 
add  that  the  traveler  can  go  from  San  Antonio,  Texas,  by 
rail  to  El  Paso,  and  from  thence  to  Chihuahua,  Alamos  and 
Mazatlan,  the  fare  from  Alamos  over  this  route  to  the  city  of 


190 

Mazatliin  being  $40  for  the  trip  of  five  clays,  with  one  day 
besides  at  Culiacan.  The  price  of  meals  ranges  from  75 
cents  to  §1  besides  the  fare  by  stage,  and  lodgings  f2  in- 
ckiding  bed  and  breakfast.  Prices  arc  naturally  high  with 
the  advent  of  increase  in  travel.  The  completion  of  the 
coimection  between  the  Atchison,  Topeka  and  Santa  Fe 
route  and  the  Southern  Pacific  Railroad  now  opens  a  route  in 
that  direction,  doing  away  with  the  necessity  of  stage  from 
San  Antonio  to  El  Paso.  There  are  three  principal  routes, 
one  by  El  Paso  by  stage,  one  by  Tucson  to  Guayraas  and 
from  thence  to  the  various  points,  and  the  other  is  by  taking 
the  steamer  at  San  Francisco  for  the  various  ports  on  the  sea 
coast.  On  the  eastern  coast  of  Mexico  the  principal  route  is 
hy  steamer  to  Vera  Cruz  and  rail  to  Mexico  City  and  from 
thence  b}'  Mexican  diligence.  The  Mexicans  are  proverb- 
ially fond  of  demanding  extortionate  charges  for  everything 
required  by  travelers,  and  it  is  necessary  for  one  to  keep  his 
wits  about  him,  or  he  will  have  to  pay  two  or  three  prices 
for  everything.  In  Mexico  foreigners  are  always  considered 
legitimate  prey,  and  the  only  way  to  avoid  extortion  is  to 
learn  the  prices  of  exerything.  This  may  be  learned  to 
some  extent  in  the  papers  or  from  resident  foreigners  who 
can  be  trusted.  After  learning  this,  never  ask:  "  How 
much  do  you  charge?  "  but  always  say:  "  If  you  have  so  and 
to  sell,  at  such  a  price,  I  will  take  it."  They  universally 
ask  more  than  they  expect  to  get,  and  fall  to  the  regular 
l^rice. 

In  traveling,  buy  your  ticket  at  the  stage  office,  and  if 
you  are  to  travel  off  of  the  regular  stage  route  a  mule  can  be 
hired  for  a  very  small  amount,  whereas  a  team  may  cost 
you  considerably.  The  prices  of  meals  are  generally  cheap, 
except  on  the  regular  stage  routes,  where  they  reach  as  high 
as  before  mentioned  in  many  places. 

The  nearest  and  most  convenient  route  for  travelers  from 
the  Northern  and  Eastern  States  by  steamer  to  Mexico  City 
is  by  the  line  of  F.  Alexander  &  Sons  from  New  York. 
Fare  to  Vera  Cruz,  first  class,  $80;  second  class,  $60.  From 
Vera  Cruz,  by  rail,  first  class,  $16;  second  class,  $12;  third 
class,  $7.  From  New  Orleans,  first  class,  $60;  second  class, 
$45.  From  San  Francisco,  by  Mexican  Steamship  Line, 
to  Mazatlan,  first  class,  $75;  to  Guaymas,  first  class,  $90. 

Everyone  goes  armed  for  emergencies  while  traveling. 
On  the  public  highways  comparative  safety  reigns;  but  it  is 
alwaj's  safer  to  travel  in  companies,  and  not  forget  the 
American's  pocket  protecior.     Small  bands  of  savages,  most- 


191 


\y  Apaches,  still  rove  in  the  mountaius  and  over  the  plains 
occasionally,  and  are  ready  to  commit  murder  and  robbery. 
Brigandage  is  not  entirely  done  away  with;  and  if  the  trav- 
eler is  alone,  he  must,  in  dangerous  places,  keep  on  the  look- 
out iov  lurking  savages  or  brigands.  ^Sometimes  a  solitar3' 
brigand  will  not  hesitate  to  attack  a  traveler,  and  the  manner 
of  attack  is  often  very  singular.  As  a  case  in  point,  a  traveler 
is  responsible  for  the  following.  While  traveling  along  one 
of  the  highways  in  northern  Sonora,  lie  was  startled  by  the 
"click"  of  a  horse's  hoofs  behind  him,  and  the  peculiar 
"swish"  through  the  air  of  a  lariat,  which  fell  over  his 
shoulders;  and  before  he  knew  it  almost,  his  arras  were  pin- 
ioned to  his  sides.  Fortunately,  he  had  the  presence  of  mind 
to  turn  his  horse's  head,  being  well  mounted,  and  spur  his 
horse  in  pursuit  of  the  brigand,  or  he  would  have  been  un- 
horsed in  an  instant.  It  took  but  a  moment  to  free  himself 
from  the  lariat  and  draw  his  pistol  and  shoot  the  brigand 
(lead  on  the  spot.  The  object  was  to  drag  him  from  his 
horse  and  over  the  ground  until  he  was  insensible,  and  then 
rob  him,  and  possibly  murder  him.  We  give  this  only 
as  an  illustration  of  the  perils  of  solitary  traveling.  Camp- 
ing out  is  often  romantic,  and  very  agreeable;  but  if  one 
intends  to  travel  in  Mexico  at  present,  he  must  expect  to 
endure  some  hardships.  It  is  necessary  to  acquire  the  Span- 
ish language,  or  sufficient  to  converse  readily,  and  also  to 
be  provided  with  letters  of  introduction,  either  from  some 
well-known  Mexican  citizen,  or  foreigner  located  in  Mexico, 
in  order  to  avoid  many  unpleasant  and  aggravating  occur- 
rences. The  people  are  hospitable  and  courteous,  and  expect 
foreigners  to  respect  their  institutions,  and  reserve  their 
comments  on  the  government  and  politics  to  themselves. 

Revolutions. 

The  disturbances  and  overthrow  of  the  civil  authorities 
were,  at  one  time,  quite  serious  affiiirs  in  Mexico.  Small 
bands  of  robbers  would  enter  the  town,  take  possession,  and 
levy  a  tribute  on  all  the  citizens.  This  style  of  robbery  has 
been  dignified  with  the  name  of  revohrion,  when  it  is 
nothing  more  than  the  jiranks  of  highwtiymen.  The  most 
of  these  revolutions,  so-called,  are  this  and  nothing  more. 
Some  years  ago  another  style  of  revolution  was  adopted,  that 
savored  more  of  a  conspiracy  to  defraud  the  government 
than  anything  else.  Some  of  the  large  business  houses,  on 
the  approach  of  their  vessels  laden  with  cargoes  would  pay 


192 

a  small  band  of  ruffians  to  put  up  a  disturbance  and  over- 
throw the  civil  authorities,  often  in  collusion  with  them, 
aiit;l  the  vessel  had  lande  I  her  cargo  and  the  goods  were 
St  red  away;  in  this  manner  evading  the  duties.  Some  of 
the  oldest  and  most  respectable  business  houses  have  often 
engaged  in  this  revolutionary  fraud,  and  acquired  immense 
wealth  thereby.  This  was  sto[)ped  about  seven  years  ago 
by  the  severity  of  the  general  government  in  ferreting  out 
and  punishing  the  perpetrators.  Restitution  was  demanded 
in  one  instance,  that  cost  the  firm  $150,000  more  than  they 
had  ever  made  by  it.  This  severity  was  exercised  in  other 
instances,  and  it  put  a  stop  to  this  species  of  speculation.  In 
some  instances  during  these  disturbances,  to  give  color  to 
their  innocence,  a  compromise  was  effected  with  the  custom- 
house officers,  and  about  one-fourth  of  the  legal  duties  were 
paid.  The  prompt  and  effective  punishment  of  this  class  of 
oft'enders  by  the  late  governors  and  chief  executives  of  the 
republic  has  stopped  the  most  of  this  marauding,  and  the 
republic  is  now  comparatively  safe  for  travelers  and  settlers. 
Foreigners  who  do  not  mix  in  political  discussions  or  squab- 
bles, and  keep  a  close  mouth  in  relation  to  the  affairs  of  the 
republic  or  states,  are  mostly  left  undisturbed,  as  their  pres- 
ence is  recognized  as  desirable. 

From  the  sentiments  expressed  in  the  editorials  of  the 
Mexican  press,  we  gather  the  fact  that  immigration  is 
desired  on  the  part  of  the  Mexican  people,  and  they  are 
opening  their  hospitable  doors  to  the  immense  number  of 
immigrants  that  are  now  flocking  over  the  border-lines  of 
the  frontier.  The  old  fashioned  immigrant  wagons  are 
again  seen  on  the  road,  crossing  the  frontier  at  El  Paso,  and 
remind  old  "49-ers"  of  the  early  days  of  California.  Capi- 
talists are  flocking  by  the  hundreds  from  all  parts  of  the 
United  States  into  Tucson,  and  from  thence  into  Mexico  ; 
also,  at  El  Paso.  These  four  states  are  fast  being  settled 
by  these  immigrants,  and  yet  there  is  room  in  all  tiiat  vast 
expanse  of  territory  for  the  miner,  settler,  and  capitalist. 

One  great  advantage,  besides  numerous  others,  will  be  in 
the  effective  stopping  of  every  class  of  marauding  revolu- 
tions; while  the  country  will  be  settled  up,  new  mines  will 
be  opened,  and  abandoned  haciendas  be  made  to  pay  rich 
returns  for  their  management.  Mexico  will  be  the  gainer 
in  numerous  ways;  her  soil  will  be  extensively  cultivated, 
and  her  mines  produce  an  enormous  annual  revenue;  her 
towns  will  be  more  flourishing,  and  her  exports  consequently 
increased.     This  will  again  benefit  the  nations  vrho  may  be 


193 


in  commercial  relations  with  her  inhabitants.  The  more 
producing  element  to  develop  her  vast  resources,  the  more 
extensive  her  trade  with  foreign  nations  will  become.  There 
are  yet  some  facts  to  be  taken  into  serious  consideration  in 
relation  to  the  settlement  of  Mexican  territory  by  American 
citizens,  that  will  be  particularly  referred  to  hereafter  in  the 
question  of  the  acquisition  of  property  in  any  of  the  states  of 
Mexico  by  aliens. 

Annexation. 

In  order  to  disabuse  the  minds  of  some  persons  who  may 
think  that  any  of  the  northern  states  of  Mexico  will  at  an 
early  period  be  annexed  to  the  United  States,  we  present 
the  following  facts.  There  is  a  strong  feeling  among  the 
Mexican  people  akin  to  patriotism,  which  very  positively  de- 
clares that  not  another  inch  of  the  territory  of  the  Mocte- 
zumas  shall  be  ceded  to  the  United  States  or  any  other 
power.  This  is  not  the  only  reason  that  exists  unfavorable 
to  annexation;  there  are  otliers  of  importance,  the  principal 
one  being  that  capitalists  who  reside  in  the  United  States 
and  Europe  who  have  invested  in  mines  and  lands  in  Mexico 
will  be  opi»osed  to  annexation,  since  their  property  under 
the  laws  of  Mexico  escapes  free  from  taxation,  and  their  in- 
fluence will  be  against  it.  Secondly,  the  large  property 
owners  in  the.se  four  states  for  the  same  reason  will  be  op- 
posed to  it.  Thirdly,  a  large  element  in  the  United  States, 
located  mostly  in  the  South,  who  cultivate,  in  common  with 
Mexico,  cotton  and  sugar-cane  and  other  productions  of  the 
tropics,  are  opposed  to  it.  Also,  the  additional  federal  taxes 
to  support  the  governments  in  the  additional  territory,  should 
it  be  annexed,  makes  the  scheme  an  expensive  one;  besides 
the  enormous  price  that  would  be  demanded  by  the  Mexi- 
can government  for  this  territory,  which  contains  the  richest 
mines  in  the  republic,  would  present  an  additional  obstacle. 
Again,  the  advantages  received  would  not  repay  the  enor- 
mous outlay  that  would  add  to  our  already  overburdened 
national  government  debt.  Lastly,  tl;ie  cultivation  of  friend- 
ly business  interests  and  relations  between  the  two  repub- 
lics will  reduce  the  duties,  so  that  when  iron  bands  have 
joined  their  commerce,  friendly  and  mutual  interchanges 
will  banish  the  idea  of  annexation.  We  think  the  advantages 
will  be  the  same,  but  without  the  disadvantages  that  would 
be  necessarily  incurred. 

The  influx  of  immigration  will  add  to  the  security  of 


194 


property  and  person,  which  is  all  that  settlers  in  a  foreign 
country  generally  desire.  Mexico  is  a  great  nation,  and  is 
well  known  to  be  the  richest  nation  in  the  world  in  mineral 
resources.  If  they  are  developed  by  intelligent  and  well- 
directed  laboi",  her  future  is  a  brilliant  one.  The  telegraph 
and  railway  are  already  carrying  into  her  limits  the  advan- 
tages that  will  make  her  ^ne  of  the  most  powerful  nations 
on  the  globe. 

Steam  engines  are  plying  in  her  gold  and  silver  mines, 
imported  by  foreign  capital.  Soon  her  seaports  will  be 
thrown  open  on  both  sides,  and  she  will  command  the  com- 
merce of  the. world.  Far  be  it  from  the  American  people 
to  covet  her  vast  territory,  with  all  her  riches,  though  un- 
developed they  be.  Rather  let  us  extend  to  her  a  friendly 
hand,  assisting  her  to  take  a  place  among  the  advanced  na- 
tions of  the  earth,  with  liberty  inscribed  on  her  flag,  and 
prosperity  extending  throughout  lier  limits. 

Her  form  of  government  is  Republican,  let  us  remem- 
ber; and  she  too,  with  our  own  republic,  is  solving  the  ques- 
tion of  self-government.  Stormy  tliough  her  career  has 
been,  yet,  with  all  her  revolutions  she  has  claims  still  upon 
oar  friendly  interest;  and  with  a  commendable  spirit  of  pa- 
triotism she  is  attempting  to  educate  her  people  and  de- 
velop her  vast  resources  under  u  Republican  form  of  gov- 
ernment. 

As  Americans  love  their  soil  and  take  pride  in  their 
institutions,  so  does  Mexico,  in  like  manner,  believe  in  her 
nation,  her  people,  and  looks  forward  to  an  era  of  prosperity 
equal  to  any  nation  on  earth. 

For  centuries  she  has  been  bowed  down  under  the 
weight  of  an  antiquated  despotism,  and  is  but  passing 
through  her  childhood  as  a  republic.  With  the  fall  of  Na- 
poleon, in  France,  Mexico  awoke  to  put  off  the  shackles  of 
her  Spanish  conquerors.  Hernando  Cortez  found  her  a  half 
barbaric  but  magnificent  empire,  ruled  by  the  native  princes, 
who  wielded  a  despotic  power  in  the  palaces  of  the  Mocte- 
zumas.  Spain  left  her  a  ruined  empire,  with  half  of  her 
people  without  the  aid  of  the  basis  of  modern  civilization. 

Ignorance  spread  its  pall  upon  her  future  as  a  republic, 
and  storms  of  revolution  after  revolution  was  the  natural 
result.  But  a  new  era  is  now  dawning,  that  gives  the  prom- 
ise of  a  magnificent  future.  She  is  favorably  situated  for 
commerce — perhaps  more  favorably  than  any  other  country 
in  the  world;  for  she  touches  two  oceans  and  a  hundred 
islands,    and    stands   midway    between    North    and    South 


195 


America,  and  midway  between  all  tlife  commerce  of  Asia 
and  Europe.  We  boast  of  our  mines  in  California,  Nevada, 
and  the  territories,  when  we  have  but  the  border  of  the  vast 
mineral  region  that  nestles  in  her  bosom.  She  possesses 
the  matrix  of  all  our  mines  of  gold,  and  silver,  and  co|)per, 
and  other  minerals,  while  we  have  but  the  outcro[)})ings. 
Her  mines  have  for  centuries  yielded  vast  riches,  and  are 
almost  untouched  in  comparison  with  her  hidden  treasures 
that  are  yet  to  be  developed.  It  is  no  wonder  that  capital- 
ists are  turning  their  eyes  upon  Mexico  from  all  parts  of  the 
world.  England,  and  Germany,  and  France  have  for  years 
been  quietly  gathering  the  flower  of  her  commerce;  and 
even  now  the  parties  interested  in  Mexico  from  these  na- 
tions are  attempting  to  discourage  American  capitalists  from 
invading  their  special  favored  commercial  territory,  as  they 
are  pleased  to  term  it:  but  although  they  denounce  the 
Mexican  government  and  people,  they  take  care  to  continue 
their  quiet  absorption  of  her  wealth.  It  is  time  American 
capitalists  should  be  vigilant;  and  if  any  nation  is  to  develop 
the  vast  resources  of  Mexico,  and  profit  thereby,  the  en- 
ergetic American  people  are  to  contribute  their  share  in  this 
great  and  remunerative  work. 


196 

Roads  of  Northern  Mexico. 

From  Colonel  E.  de  Fleury's  Map. 

SONORA. 

FromGuaymastoHermosillo,  96  miles,  good  wagon  road. 

From  Ilermosillo  to  Ures,  45  miles,  "  "         " 

From  Ilermosillo  to  Santa  Cruz,  by  north  road  to  Tucson, 
138  miles,  good  wagon  road. 

From  Santa  Cruz  to  Fronteras,  road  to  El  Paso  del  Norte, 
80  miles,  good  wagon  road. 

From  Fronteras  to  El  Paso  del  Norte  b}'  Canon  de  Guada- 
lupe, 155  miles,  good  wagon  road. 

From  Ures  to  Altar,  140  miles,  good  wagon  road. 
From  Ures  to  Arispe,  by  road  along  Sonora  river,  73  miles, 
mule  trail. 

From  Arispe  to  Fronteras,  55  miles,  mule  trail. 

From  Ures  to  Moctezuma,  70  miles,  mule  trail. 

From  Ureft  to  Sahuaripa,  130  miles,  mule  trail. 

From  Ures  to  La  Trinidad  Mine,  road  to  Chihuahua,  140 
miles,  mule  trail. 

From  Trinidad  to  Chihuahua  City,  180  miles,  mule  trail. 

From  Ures  to  Alamos,  182  miles,    mule  trail. 

From  Alamos  to  El  Fuerte,  40  miles,  mule  train. 

From  Guaymas  to  El  Paso  del  Norte  (line  of  projected 
railroad),  470  miles,  wagon  road. 

CHIHUAHUA. 

From  Chihuahua  to  El  Paso  del  Norte,  250  miles,  wagon 
road. 

From  Chihuahua  to  Alamos,  220  miles,  mule  trail. 

SINALOA. 

From  El  Fuerte  to  town  of  Sinaloa,  58  miles,  wagon  road. 
From  Sinaloa  to  Culiacan,  35  miles,  wagon  road. 
From  Cualican  to  Cosala,  65  miles,  wagon  road. 
From  Cualiacan  to  Mazatlau,  150  miles. 

LOWER   CALIFORNIA. 

From  Muleje  to  San  Diego  road  to  California,  water  at 
long  intervals,  550  miles. 

From  Muleje  to  La  Paz,  335  miles,  water  at  long  intervals. 

From  La  Paz  to  Todos  Santos,  76  miles,  water  at  long  in- 
tervals. 

From  La  Paz  to  San  Jose,  60  miles,  water  at  long  intervals. 


197 
Manner  of  Acquiring  Real  Estate. 

Land  is  acquired  in  Mexico  by  denouncement,  purchase, 
donation,  accession,  prescription,  aJjndication  and  inherit- 
ance. The  law  relating  to  public  lands  limits  the  acquiring 
of  said  lands  to  2,500  hectares  fabout  2|  acres  to  each  hec- 
tare) to  each  denouncer,  but  this  may  be  increased  by  Gov- 
enmient  grant. 

The  following  legal  opinion  touching  the  denouncement 
of  vacant  lands,  by  Hon.  Judge  Carlos  F.  Galan,  one  of  the 
magistates  of  the  Supreme  tribunal  of  Sinaloa  and  Lower 
California,  but  now  practicing  law  In  this  city,  is  given  to 
the  public  with  the  permission  of  Judge  Galan: 

"A  petition  is  presented  to  the  District  Judge  (Federal), 
describing  the  lands  by  metes  and  bounds.  The  Judge 
orders  the  denouncement  to  be  published  in  a  newspaper  for 
the  period  of  three  weeks.  If  no  opposition  is  made,  the 
Judge  orders  a  survey  of  the  land  denounced,  to  be  paid  for 
by  the  denouncer,  but  in  accordance  with  certain  rules  given 
bj'  the  goverimient.  That  done  and  presented  to  the  Judge, 
the  expediente  is  given  for  examination  to  the  District  At- 
torney, vvlio  objects  or  not,  as  the  case  ma}'  be.  In  case  of 
objection,  the  Judge  orders  a  new  survey,  or  whatever  may 
be  needed,  in  accordance  with  the  District  Attorney's  opin- 
ion. When  all  is  correct,  the  Judge  adjudicates  the  land  to 
the  denouncer;  a  certified  copy  of  all  the  proceedings  is 
taken  at  the  expense  of  the  denouncer,  and  sent  to  the  Gov- 
ernor of  the  State  where  the  land  is  situated.  He  reports 
favorably  or  otheivvise,  and  sends  the  papers,  always  at  the 
expense  of  the  denouncer,  to  the  Minister  of  Fomento,  in 
Mexico,  and  there  the  papers  remain  till  their  turn  comes, 
and  the  Minister  may  or  may  not  issue  a  patent.  That  is- 
sued, it  is  sent  to  the  District  Judge,  who  gives  the  judicial 
possession  of  the  land,  (not  gratis,  however)  and  the  patent 
is  delivered  after  paying  for  the  land." 

The  question  of  the  right  of  foreigners  to  acquire  real  es- 
tate in  the  Rei)ublic  is  an  extensive  one,  and  we  shall  con- 
tent ourselves  with  die  following  brief  summary  and  refer 
our  readers  to  the  work  entitled  "  Hamilton's  Mexican  Law," 
in  which  we  have  elaborately  discussed  this  subject,  and 
quoted  all  the  laws  extant  relating  thereto,  together  with 
the  Mexican  Constitution  and  decisions  of  Mexican  tribunals. 

The  law  to-day  in  relation  to  foreigners  may  be  said  to 
prohibit : 


198 

First — Acquisition  of  private  lands  withiji  twenty  leagues 
of  the  bonndaiy  line  by  foreigners  without  express  permis- 
sion from  the  Supreme  Government. 

Second — Denouncement  of  public  lands  by  natives  or 
naturalized  citizens  of  the  adjoining  nations  in  any  of  the 
frontier  States  or  Territory. 

Third — ^Acquisition  of  real  estate  in  any  part  of  the  Re- 
public, unless  the  foreigner  is  either  a  resident  of  Mexico, 
or  admitted  to  local  privileges,  or  has  become  a  naturalized 
Mexican  citizen. 

Mexican  Mining  Law. 

The  manner  of  denouncing  mines  is  briefly  as  follows  : 
The  discoverer  presents  himself  with  a  written  statement 
before  the  Mining  Deputation  of  that  district,  or  Prefect, 
setting  forth  his  name,  place  of  birth,  residence,  profession 
or  trade,  tlie  distinguishijig  marks  of  the  site,  hill  or  vein 
of  the  property.  The  statement  is  entered  in  a  book  of 
registry  with  the  hour  of  discoverer's  application,  and  re- 
turned endorsed  to  the  discoverer  for  his  security.  Public 
notice  is  then  posted  on  the  doors  of  the  church,  or  in  other 
public  places,  and  within  ninety  days  a  shaft  IJ  varas  in 
diameter  at  the  mouth  and  10  varas  in  depth  is  sunk.  One 
of  the  deputies,  or  the  Perito,  and  a  notary  then  personally 
inspect  the  bearings  and  direction  of  the  vein,  its  width,  in- 
clinations, its  hardness  or  softness,  solidity  of  its  walls,  na- 
ture and  indications  of  the  mineral,  adding  their  report  to 
the  record  with  the  certificate  of  possession,  which  is  then 
given,  ujion  fixing  the  dimensions  of  the  claim  and  stakes 
or  boundaries.  Official  copy  of  all  of  which  constitute  the 
title  to  the  mine. 

Failure  to  work  the  mines  four  consecutive  months  vrith 
lour  regularly  paid  miners  forfeits  the  mine,  and  it  may 
then  be  denounced  by  another,  ll^eglect  to  work  the  mine 
in  the  manner  prescribed  by  law  eight  months  in  the  year, 
countingfroin  date  of  [jossession,  although  during  said  eight 
months,  several  days  or  weeks  are  inters))ersed,  loses  the 
right  to  the  mine,  unless  this  time  is  extended,  or  pestilence, 
famine  or  war  intervene  in  the  district  where  the  mine  is  lo- 
cated, or  within  twenty  leagues  thereof.  The  mining  ordi- 
nance, with  all  its  latest  modifications  and  mining  decisions 
of  Mexican  tribunals,  will  be  found  complete  in  the  woi'k 
last  before  mentioned. 

The  present  law  originally  prohibited  foreigners   not  nat- 


199 

uralized  or  allowed  by  special  license,  from  acqnring  or  work- 
ing mines.  This  provision  was  repealed  bj*  subsequent 
laws  and  circulars,  and  now  foreit!;ners  legally  maj'  acquire 
mines  in  all  parts  of  the  Republic,  provided  one  of  the 
partners  resides  within  the  limits  of  Mexico.  On  this  subject 
see  "Hamilton's  Mexican  Law,"  in  wiiich  is  discussed  the 
right  of  foreigners  to  acquire  mines  within  the  prohibited 
belt,  with  the  laws  and  circulars  quoted  therein.  This 
right  is  withheld  from  foreigners  b^-  an  unjust  interpretation 
of  the  law  applicable  to  foreigners. 

Mexican  Railroad  Concessions. 

So  many  inquiries  have  been  made,  and  are  being  made, 
respecting  the  concessions  granted  by  the  Mexican  govern- 
ment, and  under  which  railways  are  being  built  or  will  be 
built,  that  the  following  condensed  statement  of  the  same 
will  be  of  value.  This  list  contains  the  grants  made  from 
August,  1877  to  1881,  and  embraces  what  are  known  as  the 
'Mive"  grants. 

In  the  statement,  the  abbreviation  "kil."  stands  for  kilo- 
meter, one  kilometer  being  equal  to  62-135thsof  an  English 
mile.  "S.  G."  stands  for  standard  gauge,  and  "N.  G."  for 
narrow  gauge.  "Con."  stands  for  the  party  to  whom  the 
concession  has  been  granted. 

National  railroad  from  Tehuacan  to  La  Esj)eranza.  S.  G. 
Con.,  general  government.  Length,  50  kils.  Total  cost, 
$298,5U0.  Completed. 

Celaya  to  Leon  and  Guanajuato.  jST.  G.  Con.,  State  of  Guan- 
ajuato. Length,  125  kils.  Built,  60.  Total  subvention, 
1)1,000,000. 

Mexico  to  Tolucaand  Cuautitlan.  N.  G.  Con.,  an  anony- 
mous Company.  Length,  115  kils.  Built,  46]:.  Total  sub- 
vention, $882,000. 

Salamanca  to  the  Pacific  Coast.  N.  G.  Con.,  State  of 
Michoacan.  Length,  660  kils.  None  constructed.  Total 
subvention,  $5,280,000. 

Ometusco  to  Pachuca  and  Tulancingo.  N.  G.  Con.,  State 
of  Hidalgo.  Length,  209  kils.  Bui'lt,  25.  Total  subven- 
tion, 173(3,000. 

San  Luis  Potosi  to  Tanto3'uquita.  N.  G.  Con.,  State  of 
Lan  Luis  Putosi.  Length,  209  kils.  Built,  6.  Total  sub- 
vention, $1,672,000. 

Lagos  and  Guadalajai-a  to  San  Bias.  N.  G.  Con.,  State  oi 
Jalisco.  Length,  737  kils.  Built,  none.  Total  subvention, 
^5,896,000. 


200 

Celaya  to  San  Juan  del  Rio.  N.  G.  Con.,  State  of  Queret- 
taro.  Length,  104  k'xU,  Built,  none.  Total  subvention. 
P32,000. 

Tebuacan  to  Puerto  Angel  through  Oaxaca.  N.  G.  Con.^ 
State  of  Oaxaca.  Length,  519  kils.  Built,  none.  Total- 
subvention,  $4,1,52,000.' 

Vera  Cruz  to  Alvarado.  N.  G.  Con.,  State  of  Vera  Cruz, 
Length,  132   kils.     Built,  9.     Total  subvention,  11,056,000. 

Tantojuquita  and  boundary  of  the  States  of  San  Luis  and 
Taniaulipas.  N.  G.  Con.,  State  of  Tamanlipas.  Length, 
105  kils.     Built,  none.     Total  subvention,  $840,000. 

.VIerida  to  Peto  via  Ticul  and  Tekax,  N.  G.  Con.,  State 
of  Yucatan.  Length  126  kils.  Built,  10.  Total  subvention. 
$756,000. 

Zacatecas  to  San  Luis,  Aguascalientes  and  Lagos.  N.  G. 
Con.,  States  of  Zacatecas,  San  Luis,  Aguascalientes  and 
Jalisco.  Length.  448  kils.  Built,  OJ  Total  subvention, 
$3,854,000. 

Port  of  Manzanillo  to  Tonila.  IS",  G,  Con.,  State  of 
Colima.  Length  104  kils.  Built  none.  Total  subvention, 
$832,000- 

Mexico  to  the  shore  of  the  Araacuzac.  JST.  G.  Con. 
State  of  Morelos,  Length,  395  kils.  Built,  96.  Total 
subvention,  $3,160,000. 

Matamoraslzucar.  N.  G.  Con.,  State  of  Puebla.  Length 
57  kils.     Built.     11.     Total  subvention,  $456,000. 

San  Martin  Texmelucan.  S.  G.  Con.,  general  govern- 
ment.    Length,  37  kils,     Built,  2.     No  subvention, 

Cuautitlan  to  Salto.  jST.  G.  Con.,  the  Toluca  Companv. 
Length,  63  kils.     Built,    38.     Total    subvention,   $441,000. 

Tehuantepec.  S.  G.  Con,,  Edward  Learned.  Length, 
200  kils.     Built.  5.     Total  subvention,  $1,500,000. 

Matamoras  to  Monterey.  N.  G.  Con.  state  ol  Taraaulipas. 
Length,  400  kils.     Built  none     Total  subvention,  $3.200,00l> 

Mexico  to    Acapulco.     'N.  G.  Con.,     State   of  Guerrero. 

Length,    453   kils.     Built,   none.     Total    subvention, 

$3,720,000. 

Chihuahua  to  Villa  del  Paso  or  to  Villa  Ojinaga.  IST.  G. 
Con.,  State  of  Chihuahua.  Length,  M50  kils.  Built,  none. 
Total  subvention,  $2,800,000. 

Patzcuaro  to  Morelia  and  Salamanca.  N.  G.  Con.,  State 
of  Michoacan.  Length,  169  kils.  Built,  none.  Total  sub- 
ventien,  $1,352,000. 

Culiacan  to  the  Port  of  Altata  and  Durango.  N.  G.  Cou., 
State  of  Sinaloa.  Length,  440  kils.  Built,  none.  Total 
subvention,  $3,520,000. 


201 

Anton  Lizardo  to  Iluatulco  and  Puerto  An^el.  N".  G. 
Con.,  State  of  Oaxaca.  Length,  450  kils.  Built,  none. 
Total  subvention,  $3,000,000. 

Jalapa  to  San  Andres  Chalchicoraula.  N.  G.  Con.,  States 
ofPuebIa  and  Vera  Cruz.  Length,  80  kils.  Built,  none. 
Total  subvention,  $640,000. 

San  Agustin  to  Huehuetoca.  N.  G,  Con.,  State  of  Ilidal- 
go.  Length,  50  kils.  Bnilt,  none.  Total  subvention, 
$400,000. 

Central  Liternational  &  Literoceanic  (Boston  Company.) 
S.  G.  Con.,  limited  Company,  represented  by  S.  Camacho 
and  R.  Guzman.  Length,  2,435  kils.  Built,  54.  Nearly 
ready  24  kils.  additional.  Must  build  within  1  year,  3 
months  and  22  days.  354  kils.  Time  allowed  for  construc- 
tion, not  counting  first  year,  9  years,  7  months,  22  days. 
Sum  which  the  government  must  pay  in  one  year  from  the 
date  of  concession,  $600,000.     Total  subvention,  $23,132,500. 

Mexican  National  Construction  Company  (Palmer  &  Sul- 
livan.) N.  G.  Con.,  Company  re{>resented  by  Palmer  &  Sul- 
livan. Length,  1,043  line  to  frontier,  915  line  to  Pacific. 
Built,  none.  Preparatory  work  being  rapidly  pushed.  Sub- 
vention per  kil.  to  Pacific,  $7,000;  to  United  States,  $6,500. 

This  Company  must  build  450  kils.  every  two  years.  It 
is  allowed  four  years,  not  counting  first  year,  to  reach  the 
Pacific,  and  seven  to  reach  the  United  States  line.  Total 
subvention,  $13,184,500. 

San  Martin  to  the  Ft.  of  Hidalgo  Tlaxcala.  N.  G.  Con., 
State  of  Tlaxcala.  Length,  55  kils.  Built,  none.  Total 
subvention,  $520,000. 

Puebla  to  San  Marcos.  N.  G.  Con.,  State  of  Puebla. 
Length,  51  kils.     Built,  none.     Total  subvention,  $408,000. 

Merida  to  Kalkini  and  Celestum.  N.  G.  Con.,  state  of 
Yucatan.  Length,  145  kils.  Built,  none.  Total  subven- 
tion, $852,000.  ^ 

Sonora  (Guaymas  to  the  northern  frontier.)  S.  G.  Con., 
limited  company  represented  by  S.  Camacho  and  D.  Fer- 
guson. Length,  457  kils.  Built,  30.  After  first  year  this 
road  must  be  constructed  at  rate  of  200  kils.  in  two  years. 
Total  subvention,  $3,199,000. 

Patzcuaro  to  the  Pacific.  N.  G.  Con.,  state  of  Michoa- 
cau.  Length,  342  kils.  Built,  none.  Total  subvention, 
$2,736,000. 

Toluca  to  the  mine  of  L\tapa  del  Oro.  N.  G.  Con.,  Jose 
Maria  Amat.     Leni^th  not  stated.     No  subvention. 


202 

Link  uniting  the  Morelos  and  Mexican.  N.  G.  Con.,  state 
of  Morelos.     Length  not  stated. 

Coal  Lands  railway,  from  Rio  Yaqui  fo  the  Morrito.  S. 
O.  Con.,  Robert  R.  Syraon.  Length  not  given,  l^o  sub- 
vention. 

Merida*  to  Yalladolid,  N.  G.  Con.,  Francisco  Canton. 
Length,  160  kils.     Built,  none.     Total  subvention,  $960,000. 

Jalapa  to  Vera  Cruz.  IST.  G.  Con.,  Ramon  Zangroniz. 
Length,  114  kils.     Built,  none.     Total  subvention,  $912,000. 

Salto  to  Maravatio  via  Tepeji  and  Jilotepec.  N.  G.  Con., 
Pedro  del  Valle.     Length  not  given. 

San  Luis  Potosi  to  the  Mexican  Central  at  Aguascalientes. 
N.  G.  Con.,  states  of  San  Luis  and  Aguascalientes.  Length, 
150  kils.     Built,  none.     Total  subvention,  $1,200,000. 

Estacion  company  and  town  ot  Tlalmanalco.  Con.,  state 
of  Mexico.     Built,  none.     Length  not  stilted. 

General  Grant's  R.  R.  is  to  start  from  the  City  of  Mexico, 
passing  by  the  Cities  of  Puebla  and  Oaxaca,  and  by  Te- 
hauntepec  and  to  take  there  the  best  route  for  the  frontier 
of  Mexico  with  Guatemala.  One  branch  to  come  from  Vera 
Cruz  and  Anton  Lizardo  and  another  to  go  to  Iluatulco. 
The  company  has  the  right  to  build  a  line  to  Tuxtla,  Chi- 
apa,  San  Cristobal  and  Comitan  in  the  State  of  Chiapa. 

The  railroad  movement  which  has  recently  taken  place  in 
that  countr}'  is  so  remarkable,  that,  according  to  the  return 
received  at  the  Department  of  Public  Works,  1097|  kiloni 
etves  of  railroad  have  already  been  built,  and  in  every  one 
of  the  difterent  lines,  works  are  being  carried  on  with  the 
utmost  activity. 

The  Mexican  Railroad,  which  runs  betvveeu  the  capital 
and  the  port  of  Vera  Cruz,  with  branches  to  Puebla  and 
Jalapa,  carried,  during  the  year  1879, — 287,326  passengers, 
and  177,834^  tons  of  freight.  During  the  year  1880,  there 
has  been  a  larger  traffic,  and  the  number  of  passengers 
amounted  to  313,348  while  the  freight  transported  reached 
the  amount  of  223,359  tons  and  315  kilogrammes. 

Mexica  "i  Tariff  and  Trade  Regulations. 

The  Mexican  tariii'  bj'  its  excessive  rates,  and  the  govern- 
mental regulations  controlling  foreign  intercourse  and  trade, 
have  long  been  a  source  of  annoyance  to  foreign  merchants, 
and  the  primary  cause  of  official  delinquencies.  The  liigh 
rates  have  not  alone  been  the  cause  of  smuggling,  but  the 
peculiar  intricacy  of  the  custom  house   regulations,  which 


203 

have  caused  the  confiscation  of  goods  of  well-meaning  mer- 
chants, has  also  added  to  the  temptation  to  evade  the  revenue 
officers  and  thus  defraud  the  Mexican  government.  Indepen- 
dent of  the  annoyances  attending  a  new  trade,  it  will  repay  our 
merchants  to  examine  carefully  the  following  facts  in  connection 
with  the  list  of  goods  mostly  exported  from  the  United  States 
to  Mexico.  The  duties  thereon  are  calculated  by  the  French 
standard  of  weights  and  measures.  A  metre  is  39  inches,  a 
kilogram  is  2|  pounds.  The  ligiires  enclosed  in  parentheses 
is  an  additional  charge  per  10(j  kilograms,  gross  weight,  im- 
posed by  the  law  of  June  25,  1881. 

Wine,  white,  of  all  kinds,  in  bottles  or  demijohns,  with- 
out allowing  breakage,  kil.   net  wt.  (50  cts.) $  .29 

Wine,  white,  ot  all  kinds,  in  wooden  vessels,  without 

allowing  leakage,  kil.    net  wt.  (50  cts.) .19J 

Wine,  claret,  all  kinds,  in  bottles  or  demijohns,  without 

allowing  breakage,  kil.  net  wt.  (50  cts.) .18^ 

Wine,  claret,  all  kinds,  in  wooden  vessels,  without  allow- 
ing leakage,  kil.  net  wt.  (50  cts.).. .llf 

Wines,  medicinal,  all  substances,  and  authors,  kil.  net 

wt.  (50  cts.) l.CO 

Liquors  in  bottles  or  jars,  without  allowing  breakage, 
kil.  gross  wt.,  .23  and  .08  additional  net,  (50  cts.) 

Acids,  of  all  kinds,  either  gaseous  or  liquid,  kil.  net  wt. 

including  inside  packing,  (50  cts.) .25 

Acids,  powdered  or  in  glass  vessels,  kil.  net  wt.,  includ- 
ing inside  packing,  (50  cts.) 1.00 

Billiard  tables  of  any  nmterial,  not  including  cloth,  upon 
appraisement,  55  per  cent. 

Billiard  balls,  kil.  gross  wt.  (50  cts.) 3.72 

Billiard  sticks  and  caps,  kil.  gross  wt.  (50  cts.) .43 

Books,  bound  in  velvet,  shell,  tortoise,  ivory  or  metal, 

kil.  gross  wt.  (50  cts.) 1.15 

Blankets,  cotton,  plain  or  stamped,  square  metre,  (50  cts.)     .48 

Blankets,  wool,  not  stamped  or  figured,  square  metre, 

(50  cts.).. .96 

Blankets,  cotton  and  wool  mixed  in  average  proportion, 

plain  or  stamped,  scpiare  metre,  (75  cts.) . .72 

Brushes,  scrubbing,  shoe   blacking  and  horse  cleaning, 

gross  wt.  (50  cts.) .19 

Brusiies  for  table,  clothing,  hair,  teeth,  nails  and  hats, 
set  on  wood,  bone,  horn,  or  gutta  percha,  gross  wt. 
(50  cts.)... 29 

Same,  set  on  ivory,  shell,  tortoise,  or  gilded  or  silver 

plated  metal,  gross  wt.  ($1.00). ,86 


204 

Bags  and  sacks,  ready-made,  common,  of  any  material, 

upon  appraisement,  55  per  cent.  (50  cts.) 

Clocks,  line,  not  gold  or  silver,  gross  wt.  ($1.00) 86 

Clocks,  conmion,  with  or  without  wooden  box,  gross  wt. 

(75  cts.) :...        .29 

CoflPee,  net  wt.  (75  cts.) 10 

Cloves  and  spices,  net  wt.  (50  cts.) 60 

Cotton,  ginned,  gross  wt.  (50  cts.) __ _        .07 

Cotton,  seed,  gross  wt.  (75  cts.) _ .02 

Curry-combs  and  iron  combs,  gross  wt.  (50  cts.) 19 

Codfish,  dried  or  smoked,  and  any  other  fish  prepared 

in  the  same  manner,  net  wt.  (75  cts.).  _ _ 10 

Combs,  Chinese  cane,  all  kinds,  gross  wt.  ($1.00) .23 

Combs,  ladies'  varnished  iron,  horn,  gutta-percha,  bone, 

or  wood,  with  or  without  common  metal,  gross  wt. 

(50  cts.) 29 

Cloth,  all  kinds  and  colors,  with  woolen  base  and  woof, 

plain,  figured  or  striped,  sq.  metre  (75  cts.) 1.56 

Cotton  goods,  common  white  and  colored,  sq.  metre 

($1.00) -- 09 

Cotton  goods,  white  and  colored,  not  embroidered  or 

perforated,  sq.  metre  (50  cts.) 16 

Cotton  goods,  plain,  brown,  unbleached,  sq.  metre  (50 

cts.) _ 09 

Cotton  goods,  bleached  or  unbleached,  serged  or  twilled, 

sq.  metre  (50  cts.) 16 

Cotton  goods  or  textures,  white  or  colored,  embroidered 

or  perforated,  sq.  metre  ($1.00) 19 

Thread,  per  doz.  ($1.00) .20 

Cassimeres  and  similar  woolen  goods,  sq.  metre  ($1.00)        .80 

Carriages,  open,  and  coupes,  each  (50  cts.) 176.00 

Coaches,  phaetons,  landaus,  each  (50  cts.). _ 396.00 

Bugoies,  each  (50  cts.) 132.00 

Sulkies,  each  (50  cts.) 33.00 

Wagons,  each  (50  cts.) 66.00 

Harness  for  carriages,  fine,  kil.,  gross  wt.  (75  cts.) 2.00 

Harness  for  wagons,  ordinary,  kil.,  gross  wt.  (75  cts.)..        .86 

Furniture,  55  per  cent,  ad  valoreia  (50  cts.). ._ 

Pianos,  kil.,  gross  wt.  (75  cts.) 43 

Drugs,  medicines,  natural  and  chemical  products,  and 

vessels  and  commodities  used  therefor  not  speci- 
fied in  tariff,  88  per  cent,  ad  valorem  ($1.00) 

Earthenware  and  porcelain,  except  those  specified,  and 

toys,  gross  wt.,  without  allowing  breakage  (50  cts.)        .14 
Same,  ornamented  with  white  or  yellow  metal  (75  cts.)        .29 


40 


I 


205 

Plonr,  kil.  net.  wt.,  {50c) 10 

Wheat,  kil.,  net  wt.,  (50c) 04 

Barley,  kil.,  net  wt,  (50c) 03 

Eiee,  kil.,  net  wt.,  (oOc) 07 

Hops,  kil.,  net  wt.,  (50c) 18 

Hams,  smoked,  net  wt.,  (50c) 25 

Meats,  salt  and  smoked,  net  wt,  (50c) 24 

Lard,  kil.,  net  wt,  (50c) 18 

Butter,  kil.,  net  wt,  (50c) 24 

Cheese,  kil.,  net  wt.,  (50c) 14 

Candles,  tallow,  gross  wt,  (50c) 08 

Candles,  stearine,  gross  wt,  (50c) 19 

Candles,  parafine,  gross  wt,  (50c) 38 

•  Crackers,  gross  wt.,  (50c) 12 

Canned  fruit,  cans  included,  net  wt.,  (50c) 50 

Canned  meats  and  fish,  cans  included,  netwt,  (50c)..  72 

Pickles,  jars  included,  kil.,  net  wt,  (50c) 48 

Soap,  toilet,  kil.,  gross  wt,  (75c) 1  15 

Soap,  common,  kil.,  gross  wt.,  (50c) 15 

Glass,  common,  kil.,  gross  wt.,  (50c) 24 

Gun  powder,  kil.,  goss  wt.,  (75c) 2  00 

Nails  of  all  kinds,  iron,  kil.,  gross  wt,  (50c) 12 

Tools,  iron,  steel  and  wood,  kil.,  gross  wt.,  (50c) 19 

Clothing,  readj-made,  all  kinds,  per  suit,  (^1)  132 
per  cent. 

India  rubber  clothing,  kil.,  gross  wt.  (75c) 1  43 

India  rubber  shoes,  etc.,  kil.,  gross  wt.,  (50c) 43 

India  rubber  cloth,  for  tables,  kil.,  gross  wt.,  (50c)..  29 

Oil  cloth,  for  floors  kil.,  gross  wt,  (50c) 29 

Leather,  boots,  yellow,  dozen,  (^1) 16  50 

Leather  boots,  calf  or  morocco,  dozen,  (%l) 27  00 

Leather  shoes,  common,  men's,  dozen,  ($1) 7  00 

Leather  shoes,  fine,  men's,  dozen,  ($1) 16  50 

Leather  shoes,  women's  dozen,  ($1) 10  00 

Leather  shoes,  women's  common,  dozen,  (75c) 5  50 

Carpets,  two  and  three-ply,  sq.  metre,  (^1) 80 

Carpets,  Brussels,  sq.  metre,  ($1) , 97 

Carpets,  velvet,  sq.  metre,  (^1) 1  40 

Cocoa  matting,  kil.,  gross  wt.,  (50c) 16 

Vinegar,  barrels,  kil.,  net  wt.,  (50) 05 

Vinegar,  bottles,  kil.,  net  wt,  (50c) 10 

Whisky,  barrels,  kil.,  net  wt,  (50c) 37^ 

Whisky,  bottles,  net  wt,  (50c) 46 

Beer,  barrels,  kil..  net  wt.,  (50c) 10 J 

Beer,  bottles,  kil.,  net  wt,  (50c) 21 


20(3 


Petroleum,  cuns  inclndod,  kil.,  net  wt,  (50c) 0& 

Resin,  kil.,  i^ross  wt.,  (.^Oc) 25 

Tar,  Id].,  gross  wt.,  (50c) 03 

Salt,  kil.,  gross  wt.,  (50c( 05 

Potatoes,  kil.,  gross  wt.,  (50c) 02 

Onions,  kil.,  gross  wt.,  (50c) 02 

Free  List. 

Articles  exempt  from  import  duties  at  the  3Iaritime  and  Frontier 
Custom  houses  of  Mexico^  as  revised  in  accordance  with 
the  law  of  1st  of  June  1880^  and  also  loith  the  law  of  June 
25th,  188'1. 

Art.  16. — The  following  articles  are  exempt  from  duties 
on  their  importation  into  the  Republic,  except  in  amounts 
as  follows: 

Gross  Weight 
per  100  kils. 

1. — Armament  for  the  States,  provided  that  the  ex- 
emption be  solicited  from  the  Executive  of 
the  Union,  by  the  Governors,  with  the  consent 

of  their  respective  Legislatures 

2. — Telegraph  wire,  the  destination  of  which  must 
be  accredited  at  the  Maritime  Custom  houses, 

by  the  respective  parties  interested 

3. — Wire,  of  iron  or  steel  for   carding  from  No  26 

upwards 50 

4. — Alabaster  in  the  rough 50 

5. — Animals  of  all  kinds,  ahve  or  stuffed  for  cabinets 
of   Natural    History — with    the    exception   of 

gelded   horses 50 

6. — Ploughs  and  ploughshares 50 

7. — Masts  and  anchors  for  large  or  small  vessels 50 

8. — Oats,  in  grain  or  in  the  straw 50 

9. — Quicksilver 50 

10.— Sulphur  50 

11. — Steel  crowbars  for  mines,  cylindrical  or  octagon, 
from  4  to  6   centimeters  in  diameter  and  from 

75  to  175  centimetres  in   length 50 

12. — Fire  engines  and  common  pumps  of  all   classes, 

and  materials  for  irrigation  and  other  purposes.         50 
13. — Hoes,    "machetes"  [common    chopping  knives 
for  sugar  cane]  without  sheaths,  scythes,  sick- 
les, rakes,  harrows,  spades,  shovels,  picks  and 
pickaxes  for  agricultural  purpose 75 


207 

Gross  Weight 
■per  100  kits. 

14. — Hydraulic    lime 50 

15, — Tubing  of  Jill  classes,  materials  and  dimensions, 
without  considering  as  comprised  in  this  exemp- 
tion, copper  tubes  or  those  of  other  metals  that 
do  not  come  soldered  or  closed  with  joints  or 
rivets  in  their  whole  length,  which  shall  be 
subject  to  the  payment  ot  duties,  acording  to 

the  material 50 

16. — Cardclothing  of  wire,  in    sheets  for  machinery 

and  sheep  cards 50 

17* — Wheelbarrows,    hand,  of  one  and  two   wheels, 

and  hods 50 

18. — Crucibles  of  all  materials  and  sizes 50 

19. — Railway  cars,  coaches  and  wagons 

20.— Coal  of  all  kinds 

21. — Collections,  mineralogical  and  geological,  and  of 

all  branches  of  Natural  History 

22. — Houses,  of  wood  or  of  iron,  complete 

23. — Whalebone,  unmanufactured 50 

24. — Designs  and   models   of  machinery,    buildings, 

monuments  and  ships  or  vessels 50 

25. —  Staves  and  heads  for  barrels 50 

26. — Vessels,  ships,  boats,  etc.,  of  all  classes  and 
forms,  in  thfeir  naturalization  or  for  sale,  or  on 
their   introduction    for    navigating   the    bays, 

lakes,  canals  and  rivers  of  the  Republic 

27. — Iron  and  steel,  manufactured  into  rails  for  rail- 
ways   

28. — Fruit  and  vegetables,  fresh,   with  the  exception 

of  those  specified  in  the  schedule  of  duties 50 

29— Guano 50 

30.— Ice 50 

31. — Hiposulphate  of  Soda 50 

32, — Corn  meal,  made  from  maize,  andhandmilJs  for 

grinding  it 50 

33. — Instruments,  scientific 1  00 

34. — Books,  printed,  bound  or  unbound 1  00 

35.— Firewood 50 

36. — Bricks  and  clay,  refractory 50 

37. — Ty|)e,  letter,  gussets,  spaces,  lines,  vignettes  and 

every  kind  of  printing  type 50 

38.— Boxwood 50 

39. — Timber,  common,  for  construction 50 

40. — Maize,  Indian  Corn 50 


208 

Gross  Weight 
per  100  kils. 

41. — Mapsand  glooes 1  00 

42. — Machinery — I.  Machines  and  apparatus  of 
every  kind  adapted  to  industrial  purposes,  to 
agriculture,  raining  and  the  arts  and  sciences, 

with  their  separate  and  duplicate  parts 50 

II.  Loose  pieces  of  machinery  and  apparatus,  com- 
ing together  with  or  apart  therefrom,  are  includ- 
ed in  this  exemption,  but  this  exemption  does 
not  comprise  the  leather  or  rubber  belting  that 
serves  for  communicating  motion,  when  it  is  not 
imported  at  the  same  time  as  the  machinery  to 

which  it  is  to  be  applied 1  00 

III.  Those  articles  of  which  a  separate  use  can  be 
made,  distinct  from  the  machinery  or  appara- 
tus, such  as  pig  iron,  hoop  iron  in  bars  or  rods, 
stuft's  of  woollen  or  other  material  and  tanned 
or  untanned  leather,  even  when  they  come 
jointly  with  the  machinery  shall  be  subject  to 
the  payment  of  duties,  in  accordance  with  the 

rates  of  the  respective    Tariff 

43. — Steam  engines  and  locomotives,  iron  or  wooden 
sleepers,  and  the  other  accessories  for  build- 
in  g  rai  1  waj^  s 

44. — Marble  in  the  rough  and  in  slabs  of  all  dimen- 
sions for  floors  or  pavement 50 

45. — Fuse  and  matches  for  mines 50 

46. — Ores  of  precious  metals,  in  bulk  or  in  powder... 

47. — Moulds  and  patterns  for  the  arts 50 

48, — Legal  coin  of  silver  or  gold  of  all  nations 

49. — Coins, — collections  of, — of  all  classes 1  00 

50. — Natural  History — Specimens  of — for  museums 

and  cabinets 50 

51. — Fodder — dry,  in  the  straw 50 

52. — I.  Plants  and  seeds  for  the  improvements  of  ag- 
riculture   exceeding    115  kilograms    of  each 

kind  of  seed 50 

IT.  In  order  that  the  seeds  be  comprised  in 
this  exemption,  it  must  be  expressed  in  the 
respective  Consular  Invoices,  that  they  are  im- 
ported for  the  improvement  of  agriculture 

53. — Lithographic  Stones 50 

54. — Slates  for  roofing  and  floors 50 

65. — Powder — common,    for   the    use    of  mines   and 

dynamite  for  the  same  purposes 50 


209 

Gfross  Weight 
per  100  kils. 

56. — Vaccine  matter 50 

57. — Oars  for  boats  and  barges 50 

58. — Common    salt,    imported    through    "Paso    del 

Norte." 50 

59.— Saltpetre 50 

'60. — Sulphate  of  copper 50 

-61. — Anvils  for  silver  smiths 50 

62.— Printing  Ink 50 

63. — Type,  wooden,   and   other   materials   for   litho- 
graphy          50 

64, — Rays  of  all  kinds  for  manufacturing  powder 50 

65. — Joists,  of  iron  for  roofs,  provided  no  use  can  be 
made  of  them  for  other  purposes  in  which  iron 

is  employed 50 

66. — Anvils,  Blacksmith's 50 

Article  I7th — The  Executive  of  the  Union  can  concede  a 
dispensation  of  import  duties,  to  the  amount  of  one  hundred 
dollars,  on  the  articles  brought  in  by  the  States  of  the  Fed- 
eration, which  are  intended  for  the  encouragement  of  ma- 
terial improvements#and  for  the  aid  of  public  charities. 

Note  of  the  Translator. — Notwithstanding  the  paragraph 
No.  42  declares  machinery  free  of  duties,  iron  shoes  and  dies 
for  mortars  and  stamping  mills  are  made  to  pay  6  cents  per 
kilogram,  gross  weight,  and  iron  stamps  for  crushing  mills 
the  same  rate,  as  per  paragrapli  of  the  Schedule  of  duties 
No.  448.  George  F.  Henderson,  Translator. 

One  small  trunk  containing  necessary  wearing  apparel, 
two  watches  and  chains,  one  hundred  cigars,  forty  small 
bunches  of  cigars,  one-half  a  kilogram  of  snuff,  one-half 
a  kilogram  of  tobacco  for  pipe,  one  pair  of  pistols  with 
their  accesories  up  to  200  cartridges,  one  rifle,  escopeia  or 
carbine  with  accesories  up  to  200  cartridges,  one  pair  of 
musical  instruments,  except  pianos  and  organs. 

Formerly  the  Federal  Govertmient  of  Mexico  had  four  or 
five  additional  duties,  but  these  have  all  been  consolidated 
into  the  tariff  (which  is  one  cause  of  its  high  rate),  and  one 
other  duty  paid  to  the  Custom  House  in  Mexico  City  of  two 
per  cent,  on  the  tariff  rate  when  the  goods  are  shipped  to 
Mexico  City.  There  exists  also  a  municipal  and  State  dut}' 
on  foreign  goods,  so  that  when  the  goods  are  landed  at  Vera 
Cruz  they  pass  through  the  Custom  House  and  pay  the  tariff, 
then  another   tax  is  laid   upon  them   by  the    municipality, 


210 

when  they  leave  Yera  Cruz  All  foreign  goods  must  be  pass- 
ed regularly  through  the  custom  house  at  Yera  Cruz,  when 
consigned  to  Mexico  City  by  way  of  Yera  Cruz.  Upon  their 
arrival  in  Mexico  City  the  goods  have  to  again  go  through  the 
custom  house  in  that  city,  the  packages  subjected  to  another 
opening,  the  local  tax  to  be  paid,  and  more  charges  for  stamps, 
stevedores,  etc.  In  spite  of  all  this  annoyance,  the  merchants 
find  the  trade  very  profitable.  It  may  be  well  to  note  that 
there  is  no  bonded  warehouse  system  under  the  Mexican  tar- 
iff laws,  and  hence  all  goods  must  pay  the  duties  when  im- 
ported, one  month  being  the  time  allowed  for  adjusting  all 
questions  of  difference  and  payment. 

Before  the 'goods  are  shipped:  1st,  Consult  the  Mexican 
consul  at  your  port  on  the  regulations,  and  -follow  his  instruc- 
tions to  the  letter  carefully,  obtaining  the  forms  to  be  filled 
out  from  him  ;  2d,  Invoice  the  goods,  procuring  the  Mexican 
consul's  authentication  to  the  same,  or  in  the  absence  of  a 
consul  or  vice-consul,  authentication  by  two  responsible  nier- 
chants;  3d,  Manifest  the  goods  with  one  or  the  other  above 
specified  authentications;  4th,  Obtain  the  Mexican  consul's 
receipt,  when  it  can  be  obtained,  on  s^iarate  paper,  for  the 
fees  paid  on  authentication,  invoice  and  manifest ;  5th,  Send 
all  documents  with  the  goods  to  whoever  is  to  conduct  the 
entry  of  the  goods  into  Mexico;  6th,  See  that  the  manifest 
and  invoice  is  made  in  triplicate  and  contain  an  exact  detail 
of  quantity,  kind,  quality  and  value  of  everything  in  the  cargo 
to  be  entered.  Unless  this  rule  is  strictly  complied  with  a 
heavy  fine  will  be  incurred ;  7th,  In  packing  the  goods  put 
each'class  as  classified  by  the  tariff  in  separate  packages,  those 
calculated  by  net  weight  of  a  certain  specified  value  in  one, 
those  by  gross  weight  in  another,  and  those  by  square  metre 
in  another,  and  those  by  ad  valorem  in  another,  and  when  dif- 
ferent rates  are  attached  to  different  kinds  of  merchandise, 
whether  appraised  by  net  or  gross  weight,  or  square  metre  or 
ad  valorem,  place  the  goods  with  the  same  tariff  rates  in  their 
respective  packages,  classifying  the  respective  goods  by  values 
of  rates  as  well  as  by  the  manner  of  appraisement.  The  clas- 
sification by  value  is  as  necessary  as  the  others  from  the  fact 
that  when  different  classes  of  values  are  packed  promiscuous- 
ly, the  appraisement  will  be  made  upon  the  whole  package  at 
the  rate  corresponding  to  the  highest  rate  of  any  article  con- 
tained therein;  8th,  In  packing  goods  to  be  appraised  by 
square  metre,  every  package  should  contain  the  same  number 
of  yards.  This  will  save  the  opening  of  packages,  and  the  cal- 
culation can  be  made  much  easier  for  the  invoice. 


211 


Trade  with  Mexico. 

To  thoroughly  understand  tlie  present  prospect  of  trade 
with  Mexico  outside  of  her  promise  of  future  development, 
it  will  be  well  to  note  the  following  facts : 

In  1876,  Antonio  Garcia  Cubas,  one  of  the  most  reliable  of 
Mexican  writers,  summed  up  the  population  of  Mexico  at 
9,495,157,  as  the  census  of  1875,  of  which  20  per  cent,  were 
of  the  European  race  and  nearestdescendantsof  the  Spaniards, 
or  1,899,031.  Of  the  remaining  population  43  per  cent,  were 
of  the  mixed  race,  or  4.082,918,  and  37  per  cent,  of  the  native 
Indian  race,  or  3,513,208. 

Within  the  last  seven  years  the  population  has  increased 
considerably,  and  especially  within  the  last  two  years,  the  in- 
crease being  through  colonies  and  the  natural  development 
arising  from  the  unexampled  progress  made  in  railroad  build- 
ing. The  population  of  some  of  the  larger  cities  are  as  fol- 
lows: The  City  of  Mexico,  280,000,  which  is  larger  than 
Eome  in  Italy,"'wiiieh  has  244,484,  or  Lisbon  with  253,000, 
San  Luis  Potosi  45,000.  Puebla  76,817,  Leon,  in  the  state  of 
Guanajuato,  100,000,  Guanajuato  63,000,  Guadalajara  93,875, 
Toluca  11,376,  Colima  31,774,  Zacatecas  62,000,  Merida,  cap- 
ital of  the  state  of  Yucatan,  56,000,  Aguas  Calientes  35,000, 
Morelia  25,000,  Campeche  26,000,  Saltillo  17,000,  Chihuahua 
18,000,  Durango  22.000,  Pachuca  15,000,  Mazatlan  13,000, 
Oaxaca  26,708,  Queretaro  48,000,  and  Tlaxcala  36,463.  It 
iTiav  be  seen  from  the  foreojoins:  that  the  cities  and  towns  of 
Mexico  will  compare  favorably  with  other  nations,  and  that 
she  is  almost  as  thickly  settled  in  proportion  to  the  extent  of 
her  territory  as  the  United  States,  since  the  latter  has  only 
13.91  inhabitants  to  the  square  mile,  while  Mexico  has  about 
12.21  inhabitants  to  the  square  mile. 

"  There  are  146  cities,  372  towns,  4,486  villages,  6  missions, 
5,869  haciendas,  14,705  ranches,  besides  2,248  collections  or 
groups  of  houses  denominated  "  cougregaciones,''  ''barrios," 
"  rancherias,''  "  cuadrillas,"  '- riberas,"  and  "estancias." 

Value  of  private  real  estate,  rural, $    773,000,000 

Private  real  estate  in  cities, 2,558,036,000 

Live  Stock  of  all  kinds  belonging  to  individuals,      123,060,000 
Property  belonging  to  the  nation, 340,000,000 

Total  property,  without  including  other  per- 
sonal property  and  mines,  coasts,  ports, 
lakes,  bays,  rivers,  etc $3,794,060,000 


219 

The  annual  agricultural  production  of  the  Republic  reaches 
to  6,569,524,903  kilograms,  valued  at  $177,451,986.  The 
harvest  of  corn  alone  reaches  $112,164,424.  The  products  of 
industrial  establishments  (manufactories,  etc.)  are  estimated 
at  from  $13,000,000  to  $14,000,000. 

There  are  324  mining  districts,  23  placers,  and  1,694  mines 
(worked),  which  produce  2,567,306  cargas  (300  lbs.  to  the 
carga)  of  metal  per  year,  reaching  the  annual  value  of  $29,- 
713,355 ;  and  the  number  of  persons  engaged  in  the  mining 
industry,  102,240. 

The  "exportations  from  July  1st,  1877,  to  June  30th,  1878, 
were  $28,777,508.07;  and  importations,  $34,005,299.12. 

The  above  valuable  information  has  been  ably  compiled  by 
Senor  D.  Emilliano  del  Busto,  and  is  recognized  as  authorita- 
tive in  Mexico. 

The  Department  of  Agriculture  and  Commerce  has  pub- 
lished a  report  upon  the  wheat  yield  of  Mexico,  from  which 
we  note  the  following: 

The  amount  of  land  cultivated  for  wheat  is  officially  an- 
nounced at  6,909,932  hectares  (2.48  acres  per  hectare)  in  1880, 
and  in  1879  at  6,876,975  hectares.  In  1880  the  amount  of 
wheat  raised  was  68,725,075  metric  quintals.  From  1871  to 
1877,  inclusive,  the  total  production  of  wheat  was  701,323,052 
hectolitres;  and  the  amount  consumed  during  the  same  period 
was  731,341,554  hectolitres,  or  necessitating  an  importation  of 
30,018,502  hectolitres.  During  the  year  1880  the  production 
was  101,081,836  hectolitres,  and  the  amount  imported  for 
home  consumption  was  3,395,529  hectolitres  (each  hectolitre 
being  2f  bushels),  or  9,337,704f  bushels  of  wheat  imported  in 
1880. 

The  following  table  shows  that  the  trade  of  the  United 
States  with  Mexico,  exports  to,  and  imports  from,  for  the  fiscal 
years  1879,  1880  and  1881,  has  moved  as  follows : 

1879.  1880.  1881. 

Exports $6,761,284       $7,869,864       $11,172,738 

Imports 14,047,819         16,325,417         17,454,126 

$20,809,103      $24,195,281       $28,926,864 
Exports  from  the  United  States  to  Mexico : 

ARTICLES.  1880.  1881. 

Cotton $1,176,067  $1,494,101 

Cotton  goods 832,000  1,018,600 

Machinery 365,200  988,800 

Other  iron  manufactures 390,000  913,000 


213 

Quicksilver 377,825  462,159 

Indian   corn. 68,872  240,182 

Fire-arms 200,467  224,301 

Chemicals,  drugs,  etc 142,237  209,953 

Builders'  lumber 130,506  183,436 

Sewing  machines ... 1 35,823  l'79,555 

Petroleum 155,328  173,155 

Gunpowder 49,627  145,397 

Edge  tools 97,936  138,469 

Total $4,130,888     $6,371,108 

The  imports  into  the  United  States  from  Mexico  of  coffee, 
since  1875,  run  as  follows  : 

POUNDS. 

1875 ...2,691,889  $    485,489 

1876 : 3,941,229  713,833 

1877 6,789,693  1,265,970 

1878 6,337,063  1,082,272 

1879... 8,307,040  1,371,979 

1880 9,818,525  1,523,658 

According  to  the  Treasury  statistics  of  1879,  tlie  articles 
wliich  we  are  exporting  to  Mexico  are  as  follows  : — ^ Acids, 
agricultural  implements,  live  animals  (principally  sheep),  beer, 
ale  and  porter,  billiard  tables,  blacking,  books,  pamphlets, 
brass  manufactures,  breadstuffs,  brooms,  brushes,  candles,  car- 
riages, railway  cars,  clocks,  coffee  and  spices,  coal,  combs,  cop- 
per manufactures,  cordage,  raw  cotton,  cotton  piece  goods, 
drugs,  chemicals,  earthen  and  chinaware,  fancy  articles,  fruit 
(green  and  preserved),  glass  and  glassware,  hats  and  caps, 
hemp  manufactures,  hides  and  skins,  kips,  india-rubber  goods, 
iron  manufactures,  steel  manufactures,  lead  manufactures, 
leather  manufactures,  lime  and  cement,  musical  and  scientific 
instruments,  matches,  naval  stores,  oil,  ordnance  stores,  paint- 
ings, paper  and  stationery,  perfumery,  plated  ware,  jirinting 
presses  and  types,  provisions,  quicksilver,  rice,  scales  and  bal- 
ances, seeds,  sewing  machines,  soap,  spirits,  starch,  steam  tire 
engines,  sugar  (refined),  candles,  tallow,  tinware,  tobacco,  trunks 
and  valises,  varnish,  watches,  wearing  apparel,  wine,  wood 
manufactures,  and  some  miscellaneous  articles.  The  direction 
in  which  large  gains  are  to  be  made  is  in  the  articles  which 
Mexico  imports  from  Europe.  The  great  bulk  of  the  trade 
which  Mexico  has  with  England  is  in  cotton  goods.  Changes 
of  an  economic  rather  than  of  a  political  character  are  going 
on,  which  are  destined  to  enlarge  our  commercial  intercourse 


214 

with  Mexico.  In  the  first  place,  we  are  manufacturing  many 
articles  which  the  Mexicans  prefer  to  those  imported  from 
Europe,  eitlier  because  of  their  greater  cheapness  or  adapta- 
bility. In  the  next  place,  a  raih'oad  development  is  projected 
which  will  bring  the  two  Republics  under  the  same  trans- 
portation system. 

The  greatest  demand  for  American  manufactured  goods 
will  come  from  the  white  and  mixed  races,  which  constitute 
the  wealthy  and  middle  classes.  Some  of  the  business  houses 
in  the  large  cities  have  branch  establishments  in  several  cities, 
and  are  worth  many  millions.  These  classes  wield  the  power 
of  the  Republic,  and  to-day  are  anxious  to  have  brought  to 
their  doors  that  business  energy  and  material  progress  that 
will  give  them  the  comforts  and  luxuries,  as  well  as  the  busi- 
ness facilities,  enjoyed  in  Europe  and  the  United  States.  Many 
of  the  old  houses  have  chartered  vessels  and  brought  their 
cargoes  of  goods  from  Europe. 

A  large  proportion  of  the  wholesale  trade,  however,  is  in 
the  hands  of  German  and  English  houses,  who  have  been 
struggling  to  obtain  the  control,  and  have  battled  with  each 
other  until  the  Germans  have  obtained  the  ascendancy.  At 
present  the  greater  proportion  of  the  wholesale  trade  is  under 
the  control  of  a  powerful  ring  of  German  importers  and  mer- 
chants, although  a  good  proportion  of  the  wliolesale  trade  is 
yet  in  the  hands  of  old  Spanish  and  Mexican  merchants,  who 
are  looking  to  the  United  States  for  a  large  futnre  trade. 

The  native  races,  or  Indians  constitute  almost  exclusively 
the  laboring  classes  of  the  Republic,  and  the  assertion  that 
they  do  not  consume  foreign  goods  is  not  borne  out  by  the  facts, 
although  the  manufacturing  industry  in  Mexico  to-day  is  by 
no  means  insignificant.  There  are  over  70  cotton  factories, 
which  produce  mostly  a  brown,  coarse  cotton,  locally  known 
as  mancas,  not  a  little  of  the  raw  material  for  which  is  im- 
ported from  the  United  States.  In  fact,  over  21,000  bales  of 
cotton  annually  are  exported  to  Mexico  from  the  United 
States.  Although  some  4,000,000  pieces  of  33  yards  each  per 
annum  are  produced  by  the  Mexican  manufacturers,  and  9 
print  works  that  turn  out  annually  400,000  pieces,  and  10 
woolen  mills  that  produce  annually  2,000,000  pieces  of  cassi- 
mere  and  woolen  cloth, — still  Mexican  manufacturers  are 
unable  to  supply  the  home  demand,  and  the  American  coarse 
cotton  goods,  cloths,  blankets  and  calicoes,  on  account  of  their 
better  designs  and  greater  durability,  are  being  preferred. 
The  finer  grades  of  woolen  continue  to  come  from  France  and 
England. 


215 

These  classes  of  goods  are  consumed  by  the  laboring  classes, 
and  the  peon  wears  foreign  cotton  quite  as  often  as  the  fabrics 
produced  by  the  home  manufacturers,  while  his  tools  and  fire- 
arms and  the  showy  dress  of  his  wife  come  from  the  United 
States  or  Europe.  The  cheap  black  and  white  shawls,  or 
"  rebosos,"  universally  worn  instead  of  bonnets  by  the'  women 
of  the  lower  classes,  are  largely  in  demand  and  are  almost  en- 
tirely manufactured  in  Mexico. 

An  internal  revenue  tax  has  been  put  upon  the  products  of 
the  Mexican  mills  by  the  influence  of  the  importers  of  foreign 
fabrics,  but  the  cotton  industry  is  well  patronized  and  more 
mills  are  built  every  year.  The  production  of  cotton  3'arn  by 
Mexican  mills  alone  reaches  to  about  18,000,000  lbs.  annually. 
The  large  national  demand  for  cotton  goods  is  such  that  a 
large  importation  of  foreign  cloths  occurs  annually.  During 
the  year  1875,  out  of  §29,000,000  imports,  §10^500,000  in 
cotton  and  cotton  goods  alone  were  imported.  In  1881  the 
United  States  exported  to  Mexico  $11,172,738  of  goods,  of 
which  $2,512,701  was  in  cotton  and  cotton  goods;  of  the  lat- 
ter, $1,018,600,  and  the  balance  in  raw  material. 

In  1880,  England  exported  to  Mexico  in  cotton  goods,  plain, 
printed  and  mixed,  $2,406,000;  while  the  United  States  ex- 
ported of  the  same  class  of  goods  only  $832,000.  England 
has  had  the  advantages  of  experience  in  the  trade,  and  con- 
sequently manufactures  to  suit  the  Mexican  taste,  and  pays  par- 
ticular attention  to  packing,  which  is  necessar}'^  in  order  to 
hold  the  trade.  Cotton  goods  should  be  packed  either  in  stout 
bales  or  iu'  boxes,  which  will  allow  of  their  being  placed  on 
the  backs  of  mules.  This  is  important,  since  Mexican  mer- 
chants complain  that  our  manufacturers  are  inditferent  as  to 
the  tastes  of  their  customers,  and  often  forget  that  the  goods 
are  to  be  transported  upon  mules ;  while  the  English,  who  are 
acknowledged  to  produce  inferior  goods,  carefull}'  study  the 
varying  tastes  of  their  Mexican  ])atrons,  as  well  as  their  cus- 
tomers in  all  parts  of  the  glol)e.  and  pack  their  goods  as  their 
customers  prefer.  A  better  assortment  <.)f  colors  ami  fineness 
of  finish  is  demanded  by  the  Mexican  traders.  The, quality  of 
our  goods  is  undisputed.  When  they  become  known  to  the 
purchasing  community  they  continue  to  be  demanded,  and 
very  easily  supersede  the  British  goods. 

The  British  manufacturers  buy  their  raw  material  in  the 
United  States,  carry  it  across  the  Atlantic,  manufacture  it  into 
calicoes  and  woolens,  and  then  ship  it  across  the  ocean  to 
Mexico,  and  undersell  our  manufacturers.  The  cotton  goods 
of  coarse  texture  are  sized   to  such  a  degree  that  the  finish 


216 

completely  disguises  the  quality,  until  a  soaking  rain  reduces 
the  fabric  to  the  condition  of  a  straining  cloth.  Here  the 
durability  of  the  American  goods  makes  a  revelation  to  the 
Mexican  that  he  has  been  swindled,  and  the  result  is  but 
natural. 

Along  the  Rio  Grande  the  Mexicans  are  large  buyers  of  our 
groceries,  hardware  and  general  supplies.  American  calicoes 
are  gaining  ground  on  the  border,  and  Connecticut  clocks  may 
often  be  found  throughout  Mexico,  while  our  improved  fire- 
arms are  largely  sold  in  the  chief  cities  of  the  Republic.  Our 
type,  printing  presses  and  printing  ink  have  found  a  market 
in  the  country,  and  even  the  improved  type  writer  is  known 
to  some  extent.  There  is  but  one  electrotype  foundry  in  the 
Republic,  and  that  is  in  Mexico  City.  Among  other  articles 
of  exportation  to  Mexico  are  tools,  cans,  kerosene,  soap,  re- 
fined sugar,  quicksilver,  nails,  lamps,  boots  and  shoes,  bacon, 
butter,  cotton-seed  oil,  gunpowder  and  blasting  powder,  per- 
fumery and  paints.  American  patent  medicines  are  well 
known  in  Mexico,  and  even  the  "  pad  ''  is  not  a  stranger  in 
the  Republic.  Lager  beer,  common  wines,  liquors  and  our 
finer  brands  of  champagne  and  l)randy  are  competing  with  the 
French  wines  and  brandies,  and  the  universal  Mexican  drinks, 
"mescal"  and  "pulque."  An  "American  furniture  ware- 
house "  is  one  of  the  sights  of  the  Mexican  metropolis.  Much 
of  the  furniture  now  sold  in  the  country  comes  from  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  Chicago.  The  mining  machin- 
ery now  being  sent  into  the  country  comes  from  San  Fran- 
cisco, Philadelphia  and  New  York,  and  Pittsburgh  and  Chi- 
cago. Agricultural  implements  are  being  shipped  from  San 
Francisco,  Chicago,  New  York  and  Philadelphia.  Hardware 
of  all  kinds  is  also  shipped  from  the  same  points.  Wooden 
ware  is  being  supplied  by  St.  Louis  and  New  York. 

The  trade  in  sewing  machines  is  becoming  an  extensive  one 
and  the  prominent  cities  of  the  Union  are  all  becoming  more 
or  less  interested  in  this  trade  with  Mexico.  The  greater  part 
of  the  sales  in  cotton  and  woolen  fabrics  are  exported  from 
New  York  and  Boston,  Chicago,  St.  Louis  and  New  Orleans. 
Overalls,  custom  clothing  and  woolens  are  shipped  trom  New 
York,  Boston,  Chicago  and  San  Francisco.  San  Francisco 
supplies  with  St.  Louis  canned  goods,  and  San  Francisco 
alone  supplies  Mexico  her  wheat  supply  that  is  demanded  in 
excess  of  her  own  production,  while  New  Orleans  and  San 
Antonio  and  Galveston  export  to  the  Republic  her  needed 
supplies  of  raw  cotton  over  that  of  her  own  production.  Tuc- 
son, Arizona,  furnishes  a  large  part  of  the  mining  supplies  for 


217 

the  northern  part  of  the  Republic,  assisted  by  Santa  Fe  and 
San  Francisco,  with  a  small  proportion  from  New  York. 

The  western  manufacturers  of  Chicago  and  San  Francisco 
will  eventually  control  the  manufacture  of  agricultural  imple- 
ments, with  possibly  some  competition  with  New  York  and 
St.  Louis,  with  the  odds  in  favor  of  Chicago.  The  balance  of 
the  trade  will  be  distributed  in  proportion  to  the  energy  of 
the  business  houses  in  tiie  several  cities  with  the  elements 
of  the  cost  of  transportation  and  the  productions  of  certain 
localities  playing  important  parts. 

That  tbe  trade  is  valuable  with  great  possibilities  is  admit- 
ted, and  the  extensive  investments  of  American  railroad  capi- 
talists who  have  carefully  studied  the  probabilities  of  future 
profit  upon  their  capital  invested,  is  significant.  The  work  of 
Mexican  railroad  development,  however,  is  not  altogether  an 
experiment,  as  appears  from  the  publication  of  the  receipts  and 
expenditures  of  the  English  company  operating  a  road  from 
Vera  Cruz  to  the  City  ot  Mexico.  This  road  was  completed 
in  1873  and  is  263  miles  in  length,  and  its  gross  earnings  for 
the  first  year  were  $2,L17,553.  In  1881  its  gross  earnings 
were  $4,831,215,  or  more  than  doubled.  This  does  not  in- 
clude the  generous  government  subventions.  The  gross  earn- 
ings we  thus  see  were  in  18S1  at  the  rate  of  §16,484  per  mile 
and  the  net  earnings  nearly  $10,000  per  mile.  For  the  years 
1879,  1880  and  the  first  half  of  1881  the  working  expenses 
averaged  only  41.93  per  cent,  of  the  gross  trattic. 

During  the  nine  years  in  which  the  road  has  been  in  practi- 
cal operation  the  net  prutits  foot  up  over  $12,700,000  exclu- 
sive of  government  subsidies.  In  1880  the  profits  amounted 
to  $2,147,5b9,  which  increased  in  ISSl  to  $2,958,720,  or  an  in- 
crease in  one  year  of  $811,131  or  an  increase  of  $67,594.25 
per  month  in  the  net  profits. 

The  Merida  and  Progresu  railway  is  only  28  miles  in  length, 
the  traffic  over  which  increased  eighteen-fold  in  ten  years. 
The  railroad  cost  about  $300,000  and  now  earns  at  least  fifty 
per  cent,  per  annum,  by  official  report  of  the  company.  The 
traffic  in  hemp  alone  amounts  to  $90,000  per  annum. 

Tliis  is  sufficient  to  show  that  with  transportation  facilities 
the  trade  of  Mexico  will  reach  magnificent  proportions.  This 
trade  will  soon  be  under  the  control  of  American  capitalists  as 
well  as  the  transportation  facilities,  and  the  first  in  the  field 
are  the  men  who  will  secure  the  confidence  and  the  patronage 
of  the  merchants  of  Mexico,  and  consequently  will  be  entitled 
to  the  profits  of  a  continually  increasing  trade. 

As  before  mentioned  the  greater  part  of  the  wholesale  trade 


218 

of  Mexico  is  now  eontrolled  by  German  importers  and  mer- 
chants, while  the  balance  is  in  the  hands  of  English,  French, 
Spanish  and  Mexican  merchants.  The  retail  trade  is  princi- 
pally controlled  by  foreigners,  for  although  native  Mexican 
storekeepers  are  found  in  every  village,  town  and  city,  the  fin- 
est and  best  stocked  stores  are  owned  by  Spaniards,  the  ma- 
jority of  whom  are  not  even  citizens  of  the  republic.  These 
small  dealers  are  controlled,  with  an  iron  hand,  by  German 
firms  who  in  turn  are  held  in  commercial  bondage,  by  the 
great  business  houses  of  Germany,  of  which  the  Mexican 
houses  are  but  branches. 

The  German  merchants  wrested  this  commerce  from  the 
English  by  the  means  of  a  system  of  long  credits  they  extend- 
ed to  the  smaller  dealers.  Once  in  the  clutches  of  these  gen- 
try the  Spanish  and  Mexican  retailers  find  it  difiicult  to  es- 
cape, and  go  on,  from  year  to  year,  the  mere  commercial  slaves 
of  these  haughty  merchant  autocrats. 

But  within  the  last  two  years  the  influx  of  foreign  capital 
into  Mexico,  through  the  medium  of  the  railroad  movement 
which  is  now  sweeping  over  the  republic,  has  injured  the  in- 
fluence and  the  commercial  power  of  the  Germans.  As  this 
foreign  capital  enters  the  country  and  is  disbursed  by  enter- 
prises that  are  under  American  influence,  the  latter  obtain 
with  the  masses  the  credit  of  bringing  this  treasure  into  the 
republic,  and  the  Mexican  people  are  thus  led  to  look  with  a 
more  friendly  eyeon  Americans  and  commercial  relations  with 
the  United  States.  The  greater  part  of  this  foreign  money 
flnds  its  way  into  the  tills  of  the  retail  dealers  ;  by  consequence 
they  are  enabled  to  buy  on  shorter  time  for  less  price  than 
formerly,  and  thereby  lessen  their  interest  account  with  the 
importers. 

The  merchants  have  to  pay  an  exorbitant  interest  to  their 
creditors.  The  amount  advanced  is  charged  with  from  8  to  12 
and  at  times  even  18  per  cent,  per  annum,  while  they  liave  at 
last  come  to  see  that  this  extravagance  more  than  counter- 
balances the  advantage  gained  from  buying  on  long  time,  and 
are  meditating  a  change  of  base  to  a  cash  system.  The  time, 
then,  has  come  for  American  houses  to  enter  this  great  com- 
mercial field  and  compete  with  the  German  merchants  in  the 
very  market  they  have  so  long  controlled.  The  same  causes 
which  enabled  the  Germans  to  capture  tlie  commerce  from 
the  English  and  French,  will  put  it  in  the  power  of  American 
merchants  to  displace  the  Germans  in  their  turn.  For  the 
retailers  have  begun  to  rebel  against  the  commercial  bondage 
they  have  so  long  sufl^ered,  and  have  learned  that  the  long 


219 

credit  system,  with  the  exorbitant  interest  that  attends  it,  eats 
away  their  capital  and  leaves  them  at  the  mei'cy  of  their  terri- 
ble creditors. 

As  money  becomes  more  plentiful,  trade  will  be  correspond- 
ingly livelier.  New  retailers  will  open  stores  along  the  line 
of  the  various 'railroads,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  newly  open- 
ed mines  that  there  are  now  strong  hopes  of  seeing  developed. 
These  new  merchants  will  take  warning  from  the  experience 
of  those  for  whom  they  formerly  may  have  worked,  and  whose 
position  they  are  acquainted  with,  and  will  be  only  too  glad 
to  eschew  long  credits,  and  shun  the  illusive  friendship  and 
offers  of  the  German  commercial  rulers  of  Mexico. 

A  new  era  has  dawned  upon  awakened  and  rejuvenated 
Mexico — an  era  of  material  and  social  improvement.  The 
Mexicans  have  seen  the  foi-eign  merchants  who  make  the  repub- 
lic their  mere  camping-ground;  w^lio  come  to  the  country  to 
make  their  fortunes  and  then  leave  it,  send  millions  of  treas- 
ure annually  to  Germany  in  payment  for  goods  which,  in  many 
cases,  can  be  purchased  much  cheaper  in  the  United  States, 
and  have  concluded  to  change  their  tactics  and  buy  for  them- 
aelves  in  the  markets  most  convenient  for  them. 

They  imagine  they  can  find  the  line  ot  goods  they  want  in 
this  country,  and  to  a  great  extent  they  can  ;  thus  it  depends 
entirely  upon  the  merchants  of  this  section  to  send  agents  to 
Mexico  with  samples  of  goods  suitable  for  that  trade  during 
the  coming  winter,  and  they  will  be  rewarded  for  their  enter- 
prise by  the  establishment  of  a  constantly  increasing  and  valu- 
able trade. 

How  to  Secure  Mexican  Trade. 

The  "Two  Republics,"  published  in  Mexico  City,  m  an  ed- 
itorial says  :  "It  would  doubtless  be  a  good  plan  for  Amer- 
ican M)anufacturers  and  merchants  to  send  intelligent  agents 
into  Mexico  to  deal  directly  with  purchasers ;  indeed,  all  or 
nearly  all  the  agents  of  this  character  who  have  come  to  Mex- 
ico have  been  rewarded  with  success.  However,  merchants 
doing  business  here  coni])lain  that  the  orders  sent  to  the  Uni- 
ted (States  or  given  to  American  agents  here  are  not  always 
filled  with  exactitude.  Sometimes  the  articles  are  not  the 
same  as  those  ordered  and  at  others  the  quantity  sent  is  in  excess 
of  the  order.  Such  recklessness  as  this  is  unknown  in  busi- 
ness here,  our  merchants  do  not  fancy  it,  and  will  not  submit 
to  it  except  as  a  last  resort.  The  merchant  knows  when  he 
fiends  an  order  to  England,  France  or  Germany  that  exactly 


220 

wlmt  lie  wants  will  be  sent  him,  and   he  runs  no  risk  of  hav- 
ing a  lot  of  goods  nnsuited  to  the  market  thrust  upon  him. 

"  Merchants  in  Mexico  insist  upon  having  their  dry  goods 
sent  them  in  bales ;  for  this  they  assign  various  reasons.  Eu- 
ropean shippers  comply  with  this  desire,  but  Americans,  with 
rare  exceptions,  will  use  nothing  but  boxes. 

''  European  shippers  make  the  Mexican  tariff  and  custom- 
house laws  a  study ;  Americans  do  not  consider  such  small 
matters  worthy  of  their  attention.  The  goods  sent-  by  Euro- 
peans pass  through  the  Mexican  custom-houses  without  the 
slightest  trouble;  those  sent  by  American  manufacturers  and 
merchants  are  often  subject  to  double  or  triple  duties,  on  ac- 
count of  irregularities  of  the  manifests,  arising  from  ignorance 
of  the  Mexican  custom-house  laws. 

Agents  sent  by  American  houses  to  Mexico  should  not  con- 
fine their  studies  to  the  market ;  they  should  carry  their  in- 
vestigations muck  farther,  and  completely  master  the  manner 
of  doing  business  in  this  country.  In  order  to  do  this,  more 
time  is  required  than  is  usually  at  the  disposition  of  traveling 
agents,  therefore,  a  permanent  agency  would  be  an  improve- 
ment on  the  present  custom  of  sending  agents  into  the  coun- 
try periodically,  and  the  establishment  of  a  branch  house 
would  doubtless  prove  more  successful  in  the  end  than  either 
system." 

We  take  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  written  from 
Mexico  to  a  Boston  paper :  "  There  are  four  methods  ol 
seeking  the  Mexican  trade  :  1st,  Through  the  medium  ol 
commission  merchants  in  the  United  States,  who  are  in- 
trusted by  merchants  here  with  the  purchase  of  such  Ameri- 
can goods  as  they  require,  and  who  will  forward  to  their 
correspondents  such  samples  as  may  be  given  them  for  that 
purpose  ;  2d,  By  sending  to  commission  merchants  here,  sam- 
ples and  catalogues  with  the  idea  that  they  will  make  such 
representations  as  will  result  in  business;  3d,  By  reaching  di- 
rectly, through  the  medium  of  such  a  publication  as  yours,  the 
dealers  here,  and,  as  I  stated  in  the  beginning  of  this  letter^ 
the  value  of  such  a  medium  depends  altogether  upon  carrying 
out  a  perfect  system  of  distribution  ;  a;id  if  that  proposed  by 
you  is  carried  out,  the  object  is  attained.  The  merchants  will 
communicate  with  the  manufacturers  or  their  selling  agents — 
they  prefer  to  do  so, — saving  thereby  the  middleman's  per- 
centage ;  then  the  samples,  catalogues,  and  prices  can  be  sent, 
and  if  found  necessary,  the  fourth  and  last  method,  or  iinal 
effort,  can  be  made,  viz.:  sending  here  the  very  best  represen- 
tatives to  do  the  business, — men  who  understand  fully  the  de 


221 

tail  of  manufacture,  and  whose  address  and  bearing  will  secure 
sncli  a  reception  as  a  gentleman  will  command.  The  person 
sent  must  expect  to  spend  some  time  making  acquaintances, 
inspiring  respect,  and  studying  the  wants  and  peculiarities  of 
this  market.  If  what  he  represents  possesses  excellence,  nov- 
elty and  co-operative  cheapness,  it  will  succeed ;  and  the  only 
thing  then  necessary  to  drive  in  the  last  rivet  is  by  sending 
out  hei'e  just  what  was  sold. 

There  is  a  market  for  all  kinds  of  hardware,  agricultural 
implements,  carriages,  harnesses,  pianos  and  organs,  fine  cot- 
ton goods,  mill  and  mining  tools  and  machinery,  American 
flannels,  hosiery,  woolens  for  gentlemen's  wear,  glassware, 
lamps  and  gas-fixtures,  furniture,  fine  leather,  hats,  trunks  and 
valises,  surgical  and  scientific  instruments,  fire-arms,  etc. 

In  addition  to  the  statements  of  the  commercial  traveler,  we 
would  call  attention  to  some  further  important  facts :  First, 
Under  Mexican  law  it  is  necessary  that  an  agent  should  be  ap- 
pointed with  two  separate  powers  of  attorney,  issued  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  formalities  of  Mexican  law,  who  is  a  res- 
ident of  Mexico,  one  with  power  to  transact  business,  and  the 
other  to  collect,  and  if  necessary,  to  bring  suit  in  a  Mexican 
court  for  the  claim  that  may  result  from  any  commercial  con- 
tracts. Unless  this  is  complied  with,  no  contract  made  by  a 
foreigner  who  is  not  a  resident  of  Mexico,  and  matriculated, 
can  be  enforced  in  a  Mexican  court. 

Second,  No  judgment  by  default  obtained  in  a  foreign 
court  will  be  recognized  by  Mexican  courts,  and  in  every  case 
a  trial  must  either  be  had  in  the  foreign  country,  with  the 
defendant,  or  his  representative  in  court,  before  the  execution 
can  be  issued  from  a  Mexican  court,  or  the  trial  must  be 
held  in  the  Mexican  court,  the  case  having  been  commenced 
by  a  representative  who  is  a  resident  of  Mexico  and  duly 
authorized  by  the  foreign  house,  in  which  case  only  a  judg- 
ment by  default,  or  upon  trial,  can  be  legally  had. 

Third,  Contracts  made  by  commercial  travelers  for  foreign 
houses  not  established  in  the  Republic,  or  through  commission 
merchants,  unless  duly  authorized  agents,  can  only  be  legally 
enforced  by  placing  said  claims  in  the  hands  of  an  agent  duly 
authorized,  who  18  a  resident  of  Mexico. 

Fourth,  Commercial  travelers  should  be  matriculated  before 
taking  any  orders. 

Fifth,  The  safest  and  quickest  manner  of  collecting  claims 
in  Mexico  is  to  communicate  with  the  American  consul  of  the 
nearest  port  in  Mexico  as  soon  as  an  order  is  filled,  making 
inquiry  for  a  reliable  person  who  may  act  as  agent,  and  send 


222 

on  authority  for  collection  and  to  commence  suit  to  enforce 
the  claim,  if  necessary.  This  should  be  done  as  a  measure  of 
precaution  to  save  delay. 

The  American  consul  in  many  instances  acts  as  the  agent. 
The  formalities  required  by  Mexican  law  in  granting  power 
of  attorney  may  be  found,  as  well  as  the  Mexican  commercial 
and  civil  law,  in  "  Hamilton's  Mexican  Law." 

Sixth,  In  filling  orders,  either  upon  samples  or  without^ 
send  only  what  is  ordered.  This  is  important,  for  the  pur- 
chaser, under  Mexican  law,  is  obliged  to  receive  only  the 
goods  that  correspond  in  kind  and  quality  with  the  order,  and 
upon  his  refusal  to  accept  the  consignment,  delays  and  ex- 
pense in  recovery  of  the  goods  will  l>e  costly. 

Seventh,  Carefully  follow  the  tariff  regulations  as  to  invoice^ 
marking,  packing,  etc.,  consulting  with  the  Mexican  consul 
upon  all  questions  of  doubt. 

Importance  of  Matriculation. 

The  attention  of  citizens  of  the  United  States  residing  in 
Mexico  is  called  to  the  fact  that  the  laws  of  Mexico  require 
tiiat  all  foreigners  shall  be  matriculated  at  the  Department  for 
Foreign  Affairs  in  order  that  they  may  have  a  recognized  for- 
eign nationalit3^ 

Application  for  matriculation  papers  should  be  made 
through  the  Consulate  General  at  Mexico,  and  through  the 
consular  officials  in  other  parts  of  the  Republic.  This  is  im- 
portant in  the  event  of  any  complications  between  individuals 
and  the  government. 

Not  only  is  this  important  in  relation  to  any  complications, 
but  it  is  absolutely  necessary  in  order  that  a  foreigner  may 
have  any  standing  in  a  court  of  justice  in  the  Republic. 

No  act  performed  prior  to  the  fact  of  matriculation  can  he 
remedied  or  benefited  hy  subsequent  matricxdation.  Hence 
tiie  protection  awarded  by  this  law  must  be  sought,  before  any 
business  is  transacted  by  a  foreign  resident  in  the  Republic. 
kSee  "  Hamilton's  Mexican  Law,"  subject:  "  matriculation." 

Importance  of  Securing  Patents  for  Inventions  and 
Improvements  in  Mexico. 

The  present  demand  for  all  classes  of  machinery  in  Mexico 
is  unexampled  in  the  history  of  any  nation.  The  slow  growth 
of  Mexico  heretofore  has  debarred  machinery  of  all  kinds,  and 
inventors  and  improvers  have  consequently  omitted  to  secure 


223 

patents  in  the  Republic.  This  state  of  affairs  no  longer  ex- 
ists, and  if  it  is  desirable  that  the  results  of  inventive  skill  in 
the  United  States  are  to  be  preserved  by  those  who  hold  pat- 
ents, it  may  be  as  well  to  call  their  attention  to  this  large 
field  that  demands  to-day  the  results  of  their  labors. 

Patents  may  be  easily  secured  in  Mexico,  and  it  is  sheer 
folly  to  neglect  to  take  the  necessary  precautions  to  preserve 
the  results  of  years  of  toil  and  experiment,  that  may  be  util- 
ized in  the  Republic. 

Mexico  lauKt  have  Tnachinery  of  all  hinds  used  in  the  Uni- 
ted States  or  Europe^  sooner  or  later.  Here  is  the  great  mar- 
ket, let  it  be  remembered,  for  years  to  come,  and  inventions 
or  improvements  must  follow  the  path  of  progress.  Manufac- 
turers are  finding  a  foothold  in  Mexico,  in  the  shape  of  cotton 
manufactories,  which  may  be  seen  by  the  article  upon  "The 
Trade  with  Mexico,"  herein,  and  machine  shops  are  now 
turning  out  machinery  of  difierent  kinds  in  Mexico.  Foun- 
dries have  been  established  at  Durango,  Mazatlan,  Guaymas 
and  Puebla,  and  others  will  be  established  in  difierent  por- 
tions of  the  Republic.  Manufactories  of  agricultural  imple- 
ments are  also  being  established,  one  already  being  in  Mexico 
City  and  another  in  Puebla.  This  is  sufficient  to  patentees  to 
show  them  that  Mexico  is  awake,  and  with  her  vast  fields  of 
coal  at  Laredo,  and  on  the  Yaqui  river  in  Sonora,  near  Cosala 
in  Sinaloa,  and  at  Santa  Rosa  and  Piedras  Negras  in  Coahu- 
ila,  Mexico  will  in  the  near  future  be  able  to  establish  a 
large  manufacturing  industry.  Manufactories  and  machine 
shops  may  be  easily  established,  and  produce,  with  the  aid  of 
these  immense  coal  fields,  all  kinds  of  machinery.  The  duties 
and  freights,  added  to  the  cost  of  the  articles,  that  now  prevail 
otter  too  strong  a  temptation  to  manufacture  the  various 
kindsof  machinery, including  agricultural  implements  and  vari- 
ous utensils  that  are  to-day  needed  in  Mexico.  This  suggestion 
is  sufficient,  for  the  patentee  will  readily  see  that  unless  he  se- 
cures his  patent  in  Mexico,  unscrupulous  manufacturers  may 
manufacture  machinery  without  the  payment  of  a  royalty  in 
Mexico,  and  imitate  every  class  of  inventions  and  compete  so 
successfully  with  American  machinery,  that  the  patentee  will 
be  debarred  from  the  Republic.  This  becomes  the  more  ob- 
vious when  it  is  considered  that  the  Mexican  or  foreign  man- 
ufacturer in  the  Mexican  market  has  no  duties  to  pay,  nor 
freight  for  foreign  transportation.  Ilence  his  advantage  over 
the  foreign  manufacturer. 

Pull  and  complete  protection  may  be  secured  under  the  pat- 
ent laws  of  Mexico  by  any  foreigner  who  has  secured  a  patent 


224 

in  his  own  country.  The  complete  patent  law  applicable  to 
foreigners  may  be  found  in  "  Plamilton's  Mexican  Law."  In 
addition  to  which,  we  herewith  give  a  statement  from  Mr.  D. 
Y.  Whiting,  a  patent  solicitor  of  Chicago,  whose  experience  and 
ability  are  unquestioned.  The  following  decision  was  received 
by  Mr.  Whiting  from  Minister  Fernandez: 

Department  of  Public  works,  Colonization,  Manufactories  and 

Commerce. 
Section  2,  No.  276.— Sr.  David  Whiting  : 

Sir: — Your  letter  of  the  5th  instant  has  been  received  by 
this  department,  in  which  as  the  attorney  for  Sr.  John  S. 
Adams,  you  solicit  a  patent  for  certain  improvements  which 
you  say  have  been  introduced  into  the  construction  of  towers 
{to7'res)  for  the  electric  light,  wind-mills,  etc.,  accompanied 
with  their  respective  drawings  and  specifications. 

In  reply  to  which,  and  upon  consultation  with  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Republic,  it  is  declared  to  you  that  although  the 
law  in  force  only  concedes  patents  for  inventions  made  in  the 
Republic,  the  Congress  has  been  pleased  to  concede  the  same 
to  foreign  inventors ;  but  in  future  cases  it  will  be  necessary 
that  the  said  inventions  be  accredited  with  the  patent  issued 
in  their  own  country. 

Liberty  and  the  Constitution. 

Mexico,  July  17,  1882.  M.  Fernandez. 

In  connection  with  the  above  we  present  the  following  state- 
ment of  Mr.  Whiting : 

"  The  patent  laws  of  Mexico  are  being  so  modified  that  pat- 
ents for  inventions  and  improvements  will  be  issued  for  fif- 
teen years  upon  the  payment  of  a  patent  fee  of  $150.  Pat- 
ents will  also  issue  for  five  or  ten  years  upon  the  payment  of  a 
patent  fee  of  $50  and  $100  respectively.  They  will  also  be 
issued  for  the  unexpired  term  of  a  foreign  patent  upon  the 
payment  of  a  patent  fee  of  $10  per  annum  during  the  term 
the  foreign  patent  has  to  run.  Application  for  a  patent  from 
a  foreigner  must  in  all  cases  be  accompanied  by  the  patent  is- 
sued by  the  government  of  which  he  is  a  citizen.  Drawings 
and  specifications  must  be  in  the  Spanish  language,  and  in  du- 
plicate. One  copy  is  returned  with  the  patent,  if  issued,  to 
the  applicant  or  his  attorney,  and  the  other  remains  on  file  in 
the  Department  of  Public  Works.  Internal  revenue  stamps 
to  the  amount  of  twenty  dollars  are  to  be  affixed  to  the  patent 
when  issued.  Translations  cost  about  $1.00  per  hundred 
words,  and   the   duplicate   Spanish  copy  about  40c.  per  100 


225 

words.     Attorneys'  fees  vary  from  $150  to  $500,  according  to 
the  nature  and  intricacy  of  the  case. 

David  V.  Whiting, 
Attorney  and  Solicitor  of  Mexican  Patents, 
102  Washington  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

Treaties  between  Mexico  and  the  United  States. 

The  following  has  been  officially  published  by  the  Depart- 
ment of  Foreign  Affiiirs  : 

"  The  treaty  of  navigation  and  commerce  celebrated  between 
Mexico  and  the  United  States  of  America  on  April  5th,  1831, 
was  withdraw^n  from,  by  the  Government  of  Mexico  on  the 
30th  of  November,  1880,  in  accordance  with  the  stipulations  of 
part  1st  of  article  XXXIV.  of  the  said  treaty,  and  of  article 
XYII.  of  that  of  February  2,  1848,  which  ratified  the  former. 

The  convention  entered  into  between  Mexico  and  the  Uni- 
ted States  of  America  on  July  10th,  1868,  regarding  the  nat- 
uralization and  citizenship  of  parties  who  emigrate  from  one 
country  to  the  other,  was  withdrawn  from  by  the  government 
of  Mexico  on  the  10th  of  February,  1881,  in  accoi'dance  with 
the  stipulations  of  Article  V.  of  the  same. 

The  said  treaties  ceased  to  have  force,  the  former  on  the 
31st  of  November,  1881,  and  the  latter  on  the  11th  of  Febru- 
ary, 1882. 

By  order  of  the  Secretary  for  Foreign  Affairs,  the  present 
notice  is  published  for  the  information  of  the  authorities  and 
of  the  public  generally. 

Mexico,  June  5,  1882. 

(Signed)  Jose  Fernandez, 

Chief  Clerk. 

An  Important  Decree. 

From  the  Budget-laws  recently  passed  by  Congress  and  for- 
mally promulgated  by  the  President,  in  the  form  of  a  decree, 
the  following  is  translated  : 

"  From  the  1st  of  November  next  gold  and  silver  coin,  in 
bars,  bullion,  ore,  or  in  any  other  form,  shall  be  free  of  duty 
for  circulation  in  the  interior  or  for  exportation.  In  order  to 
compensate  the  suppression  of  the  duties  referred  to  in  this 
clause,  from  the  above  date  an  increase  of  two  per  cent, 
shall  be  enforced  on  the  duties  now  fixed  on  the  importation 
of  foreign  goods,  but  in  the  meantime  the  export  duties  on 
16 


226 

gold  and  silver  shall  be  collected  in  accordance  with  the  laws 
in  force  during  the  present  fiscal  year," 

******  -x- 

"  The  following  articles  are  hereby  excepted  from  the  pay- 
ment of  package  duties  {(ierecho  de  hulto,)  imposed  by  the  laws 
of  May  31st  and  June  25th,  1881 : 

Plows  and  plow-points. 

Masts,  tackle  and  anchors  for  shipping. 

Quicksilver. 

Live  animals. 

Bricks  and  tiles  of  all  kinds. 

Common  timber  for  building  purposes. 

Cotton,  tobacco,  coffee,  and  sugar-cane  seeds. 

Slates  for  roofs. 

Vaccine  matter. 

It  Mexico  means  to  profit  by  American  enterprise  and 
capital,  she  must  make  great  reduction  in  lier  tariff.  She 
has  already  gone  too  far  in  tempting  foreign  capital  to  in- 
vestment in  developing  her  interior  transportation  facilities 
to  attempt  to  recede  from  the  path  of  progress  upon  which 
she  has  entered.  This  she  cannot  do  without  betraying  men 
who  are  animated  with  the  liveliest  feelings  in  behalf  ot 
her  development,  and  who  have  not  hesitated  to  pour  Amer- 
ican capital  into  her  bosom  and  infuse  energy  throughout 
her  channels  of  trade.  Millions  have  been  invested  in  het 
mines  and  building  railroads,  and  this  is  but  the  beginning 
of  continuous  development  that  will  lead  the  emigrant  to  a 
land  awaiting  his  coming.  Americans  are  aggressive  in 
business  affairs,  and  when  once  the  temptation  to  invest- 
ment has  met  with  a  response  by  millions  of  capital,  no  at- 
tempt by  unfriendly  legislation  will  deter  or  hinder  but 
temporarily  the  sweeping  changes  now  being  inaugurated. 
Wo  are  satisfied  the  more  intelligent  classes  of  Mexicans 
are  perfectly  willing  and  are  even  anxious  that  their  coun- 
try shall  keep  pace  with  modern  civilization  and  that  they 
will  ultimately  remove  every  obstacle  to  the  commer- 
cial and  political  reciprocity  that  should  bind  two  sister 
Republics  together  with  indissoluble  ties  of  friendship  and 
mutual  commerce. 


APPENDIX. 


Commercial  Directory 

OP   THE 

PRINCIPAL  MERCHANTS  OF  MEXICO. 

FOR     PRIVATE     USE     OF     MERCHANTS. 
[Copyright,  1882] 

State  op  Aguas  Calientes. — City  of  Aguas  Calientes,  capital,  35,000 
inhabitants  ;  principal  merchants, — Viuda  de  Chavez  C  hijos,  Davilo  Her- 
manos,  Aguilar  Hcrmanos,  iSeverino  Martinez,  Villauueva  y  Felgueres, 
Refugio  Giiinchard,  Francisco  Espino,  Manuel  Asco,  Pedro  G.  Hornedo, 
Espiridion  Gonzalez  ;  lawyers, — Isidro  Arteaga  and  Luis  G.  Lopez;  phar- 
macists,— Luis  de  la  Rosa,  Alcibiades  Gonzalez,  Juan  Maria. 

State  of  Campeche. — City  of  Campeche,  capital,  26,000  inhabitants; 
merchants, — Jose  Ferrer  ^  hijos,  Casselot,  Gutierez  y  Conip.,  Eduardo  Ber- 
ron  Barrett,  Manuel  Ferrer  Itur,  Rafael  Preciat  Estrada,  Eduardo  Estrada, 
McGregor  y  Hermanos,  Regil  y  Comp. ;  lawyers, — Joaquin  Baranda,  Fran- 
cisco Magafia. 

State  op  Coahuila  de  Zaragoza. — City  of  Saltillo,  capital,  17,000  in- 
habitants; merchants, — Juan  O'Sullivan,  Josi^Negrete,  GuillermoPurcell, 
Damaso  Rodriguez,  Juan  C.  Sanchez,  N.  Sota,  Daniel  Salas,  Carlos  Marti- 
nez Quiroz,  F.  Llaguno,  Joaquin  Zepeda,  Zamora  Hermanos,  Padilla  Her- 
manos, Jesus  Montes,  Juan  Pablo  Saucedo,  Sabas  Ayala,  Jose  Maria  Ra- 
mos, Fermin  Villareal,  Dionisio  Garcia,  Romulo  Garza,  Francisco  Flores 
Martinez,  Marcolino  Garza,  Douato  Wolpe,  Eusebio  Calzado,  Jose  Juan 
Rodriguez,  Francisco  Rodriguez,  Hilario  de  la  Peha,  Amado  Cavazos,  An- 
tonio Flores,  Sabas  Gutierrez,  Amado  Prado,  Jesus  Grande,  Atanasio  Mor- 
ales; lawyers, — Eugenio  Maria  Aguirre,  Miguel  Gomez  y  Cardenas. 

City  of  Parrns  de  la  Fuenta,  8,000  inhabitants ;  merchants, — Evaristo  Ma- 
dero  y  Co.,  Guillermo  Prince,  Fernando  Rojo,  Redone  Lajons;  lawyers, 
— Juan  de  Dios  Argel,  ^Manuel  Z.  de  la  Garza. 

Mondova,  4236  inhabitants;  merchants, — Telesforo  Fuentes,  Eduardo 
Hartz,  Gregorio  Arredondo,  Ramon  Muzquiz. 

Sa7i  Buenaventura,  3,500  inhabitants;  merchants, — Seraa  Hermanos, 
Cayetano  R.  Falcon,  Margil  Sanchez. 

Candela,  3037  inhabitants, — Francisco  Rodriguez,  Antonio  Neira,  Mon^ 
mayor  Hermanos. 

Ziragoza,  2,600  inhabitants;  merchants, — Antonio  Urcullo,  Elisco  Felan 
y  Antonio  Garza. 

Piedras  Negras,  frontier  custom-house;  2,500  inhabitants;  merchants, — 
Jesus  del  Castillo,  Santos  Coy,  Santiago  Ride),  Jose  Rivera  y  otros. 

Cuatro  Gienegas,  3,200  inhabitants; — vineyards, — Aniceto  del  Castillo, 
Jesus  Carranza  y  Albino  Morales. 

State  op  Chiapas. — City  of  San  Cristobal  las  Casas,  10,295  inhabitants; 
merchants, — Vicente  Ferrera,  Wenceslao  Panigua,  Mariano  Avila,  Angel 


u 

de  la  Vega,  M.  Ajmendaris,  Mariano  Cabrera,  Cleofas  Dominguez  y  Raba- 
za  6  bijos;  lawyers, — J.  Antonio  Velasco,  Clemente  J.  Robles. 

State  op  Chihuahua. — City  of  Chibuabua,  18,000  inhabitants;  mer- 
chants,—Miguel  Salas,  Felix  F.  Maceyra,  Domingo  Leguinazabal,  Gonza- 
lez Travino  Hermanos,  Quetelson  y  Degetan,  Antonio  Azunzulo,  Benigno 
Navarro,  Refugio  Tejada,  Gustavo  Moye,  Stalft'ord  Mirarnontes;  commis- 
sion merchants,  lawyers, — Laureano  Munoz,  Jose  M.  Revilla. 

State  of  Colima.— City  of  Colima,  31,774  inhabitants;  merchants, — 
Octling  Hermanos  y  Comp.,Kere  Vander  Linden  y  Comp.,  Alejandro  Oet- 
ling  y  Comp.,  Agustin  Schact,  Esteban  Garcia,  Smith  y  Madrid,  Jorge  01- 
derabourg,  Manuel  Rodriguez,  Epifanio  Diaz,  Gregorio  Alvarez,  Maximo 
Vargas,  Francisco  de  la  Plaza,  Alberto  de  la  Plaza,  Antonio  de  la  Calleja, 
Miguel  Barreto,  Dolores  Gliizar  y  Comp.,  Jos6  Maria  Alcaraz,  Cenobio 
Madrid,  Salome  Gomez,  Guillermo  Voguez,  Enrique  Olmayer,  Aristeo  Go- 
mez; apothecaries, — Augusto  Morril,  Cosme  Suarez,  Francisco  J.  Cueva, 
Crescendo  Orezco,  Ignacio  Fuentes;  lawyers, — Miguel  Gonzalez  Castro, 
Juan  Rojas  Vertiz. 

State  op  Durango. — City  of  Durango,  22,000  inhabitants;  merchants, 
— Garza  Hermanos  y  Comp.,  Dorman  y  Comp.,  Hildebrand  y  Comp.,  Ger- 
man Stahiknecht  y  Comp.,  Juanbelz  Hermanos,  Francisco  Alvarez  y  Comp., 
Salcido  Hermanos,  C.  Rodriguez,  Lowree  Hermanos,  Rios  y  Comp.,  Pedro 
del  Rio,  Andres  Basterra;  lawyers,— Francisco  G.  del  Palacio,  Ladislao  L. 
Negrete;  pharmacists, — Manuel  de  Avila,  Eusebio  de  Ostolaza. 

State  op  Guanajuato. — City  of  Guanajuato,  68,000  inhabitants;  mer- 
chants,— Gonzalez  y  Villasenor,  Caire  y  Andriffred,  Pedro  Oscar,  Francis- 
co Pedraza,  Diego  Abascai,  Manuel  Ajuria,  Francisco  Castaneda,  Juan 
Romero,  Lino  Gutierrez,  Eulogio  Mingo,  Palasson,  F.  Obregon  Hermano, 
Stallforth,  Alcazar  y  Comp.;  brokers,— Ramon  Fragua.  Jesus  Fernandez, 
Francisco  P.  del  Rio,  Florentino  Manriquez,  Feliciano  Guzman;  lawyers, 
— Joaquin  Chico,  J.  Ortiz  Careaga. 

State  of  Guerrero. — City  of  Chilpancingo,  3,000  inhabitants;  mer- 
chants,— Gabriel  Cells,  Pedro  Castro;  lawyers, — Domingo  Catalan,  Santia- 
go Cortes. 

Acapulco,  merchants, — J.  M.  Indart,  Alzuyeta  Hermano  y  Comp.,  Agus- 
tin Dempwolff,  Meyerink  y  Comp. 
Chilapa;  merchants, — Andraca  Hermanos. 

State  of  Hidalgo. — City  of  Pachuca,  15,000  inhabitants ;  merchants, 
— Jose  Maquivar  y  Comp.,  Francisco  Cacho  y  Comp.,  Marcial  Islas,  Juan 
B.  Langier,  A.  Mercheyer,  Nicolas  Valdez;  lawyers, — Francisco  Arciniega, 
Francisco  Hernandez. 

I'ulancingo;  merchants,— Calixto  Manuel  y  Comp.,  Pontal  Castella  y 
Comp.,  Tomas  Urrutia,  Juan  B.  Ortiz,  J.  Lorenzo  Cossio,  Jacobo  Cortes, 
Manuel  Gonzalez  Varona;  lawyers,— Francisco  Rodriguez  Madariaga, 
Manuel  S.  Rodriguez. 

State  of  Jalisco. — City  of  Guadalajara,  93,875  inhabitants;  merchants, 
wholesale,— Palomar  Gomez  y  Comp.,  Francisco  Martinez  Negrete  y 
Comp.,  Teodoro  Kunhardt,  Alfonso  Ayman,  Fernandez  Somellera  Herma- 
nos, Manuel  Fernandez  del  Valle,  German  Hell  y  Comp.,  Oetling  y  Comp., 
Justo  B.  Gutierrez,  Agustin  Gil,  Antonio  Alvarez  del  Castillo ;  tobaccon- 
ists,— Enrique  de  la  Penay  Hermano,  Heraclio,  Farriasy  Comp.,  Sandoval, 
Franco  y  Comp.;  clothing  houses, — Martinez  Gallardo  y  Hermanos,  Toofi- 
lo  Lebre,  Juan  Munoz  y  Comp.,  Antonio  Alcaraz,  Canute  Romero,  Ramon 
Ugarte,  Manuel  Ornelas,  Francisco  Silva,  Jose  Garibi  y  Comp.,  Julio  Ros- 
si, Feliciano  Corona,  Luciano  Gomez  y  Hermano,  Felix  Muniz,  Juan  Bo- 
badilla,  Luis  Cruz  y  Comp ;  hardware,— Julio  Yurgensen,  Agustin  Blume, 
Agustin  Bhartolly,  Mauricio  Rohd ;  general  merchandise, — Martin  Ga- 
vira,  Ramon  Garibay,  Donaciano  Corona,  Miguel  Garibi,  Celso  Cortes,  Is- 
abel Cortes,  Antonio  Romero,  Ramon  Gomez,  Gonzalez  Olivarez  Herma- 
nos, Loweree  y   Hermanos,  Mardueno  y  Camarena;  druggists, — Lazaro 


Ill 

Perez,  Nicolas  Puga,  Nicolas  Tortolero,  Vidal  Torres ;  lawyers, — Aurelio 
Hermoso,  Esteban  Alatorre. 

State  of  Mexico. — Ciiy  of  Toluca,  11,376  inhabitants;  merchants, — 
Benito  Sanchez,  Agustin  Hoth,  Cortino  y  Sobrino,  Guarduno  Trevilla 
Hermanos,  Benigno  Rojas,  Agustin  Ayaia;  lawyers, — Antonio  Inclan, 
Alberto  Garcia. 

State  op  Miciioacan. — Cityof  Morelia,  25,000  inhabitants;  merchants, 
Gustava  Graveuhorst,  Ramon  Ramirez,  Benito  Barroso,  Luis  Infante,  Jose 
Maria  Infante,  Nemesio  Ruiz,  Salvador  Macouzet,  Santiago  Ortiz,  Loreto 
Martinez  del  Campo,  Eduardo  Iturbide,  Placido  Guerrero,  Vallejo  Herma- 
nos, Jose  J.  Retana,  Pablo  Torres  Arroyt),  Gabino  y  Epifanio  Oseguera, 
Ramon  Villareal,  Ignacio  Solorzano,  Audiffred  Hermanos,  Chazes  y  Gui- 
do,  Atanasio  Mier,  Juan  Vallejo,  Manuel  Montano  Ramiro,  Juan  Galvan; 
lawyers, — Bruno  Patiuo,  Jose  Trinidad  Guido. 

State  of  Morelos. — Cily  of  Cuernavaca,  12,000  inhabitants;  mer- 
chants,— Francisco  Azcarate,  Aramburo  Hermanos,  Juan  Pagaza,  Fortu 
y  Comp.,  Santiago  Fernandez,  Francisco  Cells,  Felix  Vertis,  Angel  Ibar- 
guen,  Tajonar  Hermanos,  J.  Juan  Gonzalez,  Agustin  Munoz,  J.  Rios; 
lawyers, — Refugio  de  la  Vega,  Clemente  Castillo. 

State  of  Nuevo  Leon. — City  of  Monterey,  37,000  Inhabitants;  mer- 
chants,— Martinez  Cardenas,  Zambrano  Hermanos  y  Comp.,  Hernandez 
Hermanos  Sucesores,  Bernardino  Garcia,  Patricio  Milmo,  Jose  Gutierrez, 
Jacinto  Gallndo,  Juan  B.  Gonzalez,  Pragedis  Garcia,  Reynaldo  Bernard!, 
Federico  Palacios;  law3-ers, — Domingo  Martinez,  Rafael  de  la  Garza. 

State  op  Oaxaca. — City  of  Oaxaca  de  Juarez,  26,708  inhabitants;  mer- 
chants,— AUende  y  Sobrino,  Barriga  6  hijo,  Cobo  de  la  Peiia,  Juan  Domin- 
guez,  Gabriel  Esperon,  IgnacioFigueroa,  Juan  Garcia,  Luis  G.  Hinzitres, 
Carlos  y  Comp.,  Quijano  y  Comp.,  Stein  Gustavo  y  Comp.,  Trapaga,  Juan 
S.  Wiecher  y  Comp.,  Maqueo  Hermanos,  Jimenez  Mariano,  Moya  Luis, 
Ramirez  Mariano,  M.  Puyos,  Frores  Andres,  Ibanez  Ramon;  lawyers, — 
Marquez  Cenobio,  Juan  Maria  Santaella,  Justo  Benltes. 

State  of  Puebla. — City  of  Puebla,  76,818  inhabitants;  merchants, — 
Marroquin  y  Gauthier,  Ramon  Laine,  M.  Toquero,  Francisco  Traslosheros, 
Mier  y  Conde,  Manuel  Garcia  Teruel,  Diehl  y  Comp.,  J.  B.  Lyons  y  Comp., 
Chaixy  Comp.,  M.  Gomez  Ligero,  Jose  Maria  Couttolene,  Arnau  Salles, 
Jose  Diaz  Rubin,  Jose  Caloca,  Adolfo  Arrioja,  Luis  Bello,  Dionisio  Velas- 
co,  Luis  Garcia  Teruel,  Francisco  Cabrera,  Antonio  Rosales,  Manuel  Con- 
de, Lions  y  Comp.,  Felix  Perez,  Ramon  Acho,  Florencio  Gavito  M.  Her- 
nandez, Hernandez  y  Comp.;  lawyers,  Francisco  Gomez  Daza,  Clemente 
Lopez,  Joaquin  Ruiz. 

State  of  Queretaro. — City  of  Quer^taro,  48,000  inhabitants;  mer- 
chants,—  Carlos  Rubio,  Arnando  y  Martel,  Rivera  y  MacGregor,  Jose  Gar- 
cia Gonzalez;  lawyers, — Juventino  Guerra,  Prospero  Vega. 

State  op  San  Luis  Potosi. — City  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  45,000  inhabit- 
ants; merchants, — Muriedas  y  Comp.,  J.  H.  Bahnsen  y  Couip.,  Matias  A. 
Soberon,  Aristl  y  Comp.,  Herculano  M.  de  Lara  Sucesores,  A.  Guthiel  y 
Comp.,  Pitman  y  Co.,  Caire  y  Texier,  Aguerre  Hermanos,  Jose  Lorenzo 
Campos,  Pons  Hermanos,  Carlos  Dahne,  Ortolozaga  y  Comp.,  Varona  y 
Comp.,  Jose  M.  Davalos,  Manuel  Noriega y  Comp.,  Antonio  Delgada  Rea- 
teria,  Balmori  y  Comp.,  Larrache  Sucesores,  Gastinel  y  Auber,  Ignacio 
Norieira,  Juan  Jose  Ottermin,  Macedonio  Gomez,  Tena,  Lavin  y  Diliz, 
Juan  Equillor,  Gedowius  y  Comp.,  J.  Heredla,  J.  M.  Otahequi,  Jose  Rod- 
riguez Angelina;  lawyers, — Tomas  del  Hoyo,  Ignacio  Arriaga. 

City  of  Mat^fmnla,  25,000  inhabitants;  merchants, — Soriano  y  Almanza, 
Barrenechea  Hermanos,  Trinidad  Avila,  ISIoreno  Hermanos. 

Oiudad  del  Maiz;  merchants, — Joaquin  Barragan,  J.  Dominguez,  Fran- 
cisco Anaya. 

Rio  Verde;  merchants, — Antoni'<  Castro  y  Carrion,  Testamentaria  de 
Jose  Pando,  Antonio  Castillo. 


IV 

State  of  Sinai.oa. — City  of  MazatUm,  17,000 inhabitants;  merchants, — 
Francisco  Echeguren  Herniana  y  tSoijiinos,  Melchers  tSucesores  y  Comp., 
Bartning  Hcrmnnos  y  Conii).,  Hernandez  Mendia  y  Comp.,  Francisco  Tel- 
leria  y  Comp.,  Fcderico  Koerdell  J.  de  la  Quintana  y  Comp.,  Somellera, 
Hermano  y  Comp.,  Pena  y  Comp.,  Tames  Hermanos,  Levess  y  Comp., 
Canobio  Hermanos,  Jesus  Escobar,  Haas  y  Enciuas,  Charpentier,  Rey- 
naud  y  Comp.,  Gustavo  Legrot  y  Comp.,  Juan  Lewels,  Hidalgo  Carreaga  y 
Comp. ;  bankers, — Echeguren,  Hermanos  y  Sobrinos,  J.  Kelli  y  Co.;  brok- 
ers and  commission  merchants, — Francisco  Duliagen,  Maxemin  Herma- 
nos, Manuel  Castellanos,  Juan  C.  Farber,  Joaquin  ISanta  Cruz,  Adolph 
O'Ryan,  Fred  Holderness,  Ignacio Guerrero;  general  merchandise, — Angel 
Podesta,  Mateo  Magana,  Rafael  Vargas  Delgado,  Tapia  y  Cevallos,  Fel- 
ton  Hermanos,  Rogers  y  Marshall,  Mauricio  Beltran,  Francisco  Diaz  de 
Leon,  Benjamin  Bates,  Vicente  Ferreira  y  Co. 

State  of  Sonoka. — City  of  Hermosillo,  12,000  inhabitants;  merchants, 
— Albistegui  y  Alatorre,  Francisco  G.  Noriega,  Agustin  A.  Pesqueira, 
Ruix  y  Mascarenas,  Celedonio  Ortiz;  lawyers, — Jose  de  Aguilar,  N.Rod- 
riguez; brokers, — Florencio  Velasco. 

Ouaymas;  merchants, — F.  A.  Aguilar  sucesores,  Vicente  Ortiz  6  hijos, 
Irigoyen  y  Escobosa,  Juan  P.  Camou,  Sandoval  y  Bulle,  Juan  de  Castro, 
Mliller  y  Comp.;  lawyers, — Jesus  M.  Gaxiola,  Jose  Monteverde. 

Urea;  merchants, — Lauro  Morales,  Francisco  Hernandez,  Eduardo  Mor- 
ales, Francisco  Sicre,  Francisco  C.  Aguilar. 

State  of  Tobasco.- — City  of  San  Juan  Bautista,  8,000  inhabitants;  mer- 
chants,— Romano  Hermanos,  Bulues  Hermanos,  M.  Berreteaga  y  Comp., 
Burelo,  Mosquera  y  Comp.,  Ruiz  de  la  Peila  3'  Hermano,  Ramon  Lanz  Her- 
manos, Graham  y  Vidal,  Jamet  y  Sastre,  Maldonado  (3  hijos,  Oliver  Her- 
manos, Policarpo  Valenzuela,  Juan  C.  Fernandez,  Ramon  Tames;  lawyers, 
— Limbano  Correa,  Manuel  Sanchez  Marmol. 

State  of  Tamaulipas. — City  of  Matamoras;  merchants, — Jose  de  la 
Mora,  Adolfo  Mak,  J.  Lira,  Jose  M.  Armendais  sucesores,  Santiago  Belden. 

Gltyof  Victorio,  6,000  inhabitants;  merchants, — Pablo  Lavin,  Casimiro 
Lavin,  Francisco  Cortina,  Martin  Dosal,  Antonio  Elguera,  Jose  Zorrilla, 
Viuda  de  Martinez;  lawyers, — Juan  Garza,  Bias  Gutierrez. 

Tampico,  5,000  inhabitants;  merchants, — Lastray  Com.,Fuscu  Hermanos, 
Federico  J.  Schultz,  Goldy  Herm,  Juan  J.  Vina,  Trapaga  y  Comp.,  Matienzo 
y  Comp.,  Prom  y  Comp. ;  lawyers, — Modesto  Ortiz,  Diego  Castillo  Montero. 

State  of  Tlaxcala. — City  of  Tlaxcala,  36,463  inhabitants;  merchants, 
— Trinidad  Rojas,  Emmanuel  Trasdefer,  Miguel  Gomez  (p.),  Miguel  Go- 
mez (h.),  Lorenzo  Vinas,  Juan  Vazquez,  Felix  Diaz,  Eulalio  Corona,  Ber- 
nabe  Perales,  Tiburcio  Lopez,  Albino  Rodriguez;  lawyers, — Manuel  Tello 
Covarrubias,  Miguel  Melgarejo. 

State  of  Vera  Cruz. — City  of  Vera  Cruz;  merchants, — Landero,  Pas- 
quel  y  Comp.,  Bonne,  Strucke  y  Comp.,  D'Oleire  y  Comp.  sucesores,  R.  C. 
Ritter  y  Comp.,  Watermeyer,  Wieches  y  Comp.,  During  y  Comp.,  Agustin 
Gutheil,  German  Kroncke  sucesores,  M.  C.  de  Maikoe  y  Comp.,  Ed.  Ron- 
gel  Junior,  JautFred,  Ollivier  y  Comp.,  Guillermo  Busing  y  Comp.,  Cos, 
Castillo  y  Comp.,  Calleja  Hermanos'  y  Comp.,  Villa  Heimanos  sucesores, 
C.  A.  Martinez  y  Comp.,  Torre  Fischer  y  Comp.,  Jorge  Bameto,  Javier 
Munoz,  J.  Galdiucna  y  Comp.,  M.  Guillacon  y  Comp.  sucesores,  Brehem  y 
Comp.  sucesores,  Wittenez,  Villa  y  Comp.,  Vendrell,  Villenave  y  Comp., 
Francisco  de  Prida  y  Comp.,  Jaynie  Romaice. 

State  op  Yucatan. — City  of  ]\Ieritia,  56,000  inhabitants;  merchants, — 
Milan  y  Hermanos,  Viuda  de  Regil  6  hijo,  Vernancio  Cervera  y  Comp., 
Cfimp  y  Comp.,  Crasseman  y  Comp.,  Ravensbourg  y  Comp.,  Ricardo  Guti- 
errez y  C.<mp.,  Luis  Gutierrez,  Fuente  y  Hermano,  Vales  y  Capetillo,  Rod- 
riguez, Atnclie  y  Comp.,  Alvarez  y  Comp.,  Haro  y  Comp.,  Celestino  Ruiz 
del  Hoyo,  Pinelo  6  hijo,  Pedro  Cicero,  Dario  Galero,  Rotger  y  Comp., 
Manuel  Doude  Camara,  Manual  Zapata,  Eusebio  Escalante  6  hijo,  Carrill 


Camara,  Ramon  Aznar,  Jose  M.  Ponce  y  Comp. ,  Alfredo  Peon,  Hoffman  y 
Dominguez,  Benito  Aznar,  Perez  y  Comp.,  Pedro  Leal,  Ibarra  y  Comp., 
Palma  y  Hermano,  Jacinto  Lizarraga  y  Comp. ;  lawyers, — Pastor  Esqui- 
vel,  Olegario  Molina. 

City  of  Pfogreso, 'S,200  inhaXntiinis;  merchants, — Alejandro  Barrera,  Ig- 
nacio  Sabido,  Antonio  Alonzo,  Alberto  Morales,  Braulio  Canton,  George 
Llanes. 

State  of  Zacatecas. — City  of  Zacatecas,  63,000  inhabitants;  merchants, 
wholesale, — Oscar  Loreuse,  Kimball,  Alverdi  y  Comp.,  Pio  Arenas.  Julien 
Ibartrueu,  Kamoa  C.  Ortiz  y  Comp.,  Antonio  Gomez  Gonzalez;  clothing 
merchants, — Jose  M.  Escobedo,  Nava  Salvador  Tellery,  Daniel  Escobedo, 
Jesus  Vasquez,  Manuel  Viadero  y  Comp.,  Euteimio  Hermanos,  Apestegui, 
Juan  Olivie,  Fabricas  de  Francia,  Ciudad  de  Londres,  Puerte  de  Liverpool, 
Mariano  Cuevas,  Apolonio  Serrano,  Jesus  Romero,  Pedro  Dartayer,  A. 
Subririay  general  merchandise, — Viuda  de  Reyna,  Gabriel  Segura,  Alanuel 
Cano,  Feliciano  Gomez  Gonzalez,  Ignacio  ^tontes  de  Oca,  Juan  Ferran, 
Cayetano  Escobedo,  Meade  Hermanos,  Villanueva  Fermin  Diaz;  hard- 
ware,— Carlos  Stork,  Angel  Ramos,  Gustavo  Shoder,  La  Palma,  Camilo 
Larras,  El  Ferrocarril,  Jose  Flores;  brokers, — Domingo  Sanchez,  Tomas 
Martinez,  Ciuz  Diaz  de  Leon,  Mariano  B.  Real,  Mariano  Ruiz,  Luis  G. 
Veyral,  Eustaquio  Parra,  Pascual  L.  Velarde,  Jose  M.  T.  Escalante,  Jose 
Solorzano;  jewelers, — Desiderio  Lebre,  Guillermo  Brunert;  druggists, — 
De  la  Parroquia,  del  Comercio,  do  la  Caja,  del  Leon,  del  Patrocinio,  de 
Tacuba,  de  Villareal,  de  Leal;  lawyers, — T.  G.  Cadeuo,  Alejandro  del  Hoyo. 

Territory  of  Baja  California. — City  of  La  Paz,  4,000  inhabitants; 
merchants, — Gonzalez  y  Ruflb,  Cota  y  Palaiz,  Pablo  Hidalgo  y  Comp.,  J. 
Mendez  sucesores,  Gregorio  Rivera,  H.  Von  Borslel,  Lautaro  Ramirez,  Gil- 
bert Hermanos;  lawyers, — Carlos  F.  Galan,  Antonio  Canalizo. 

El  Triunfo,  4,000  inhabitants ;  merchants, — Aristeo  j\Iendoza,  Cota  y 
Pelaiz,  Maximo  Cota. 

San  Jose,  2,500  inhabitants;  merchants, — Hipps  y  Comp. 

Muleje,  1,500  inhabitants;  merchants, — Moller  y  Comp.,  Vicente  Goro- 
zave,  Francisco  Fierro  ]\Iejia,  ('  hi  jo. 

Military  Canton  of  Tepic,  Included  in  the  State  op  Jalisco. — 
■City  of  Tepic,  23,213  inhabitants;  wholesale  merchants  and  manufactur- 
ers,— Barron,  Forbes  y  Comp.  of  sugar, — Juan  Antonio  de  Aguierre,  Com- 
pauiaTepiquefia,  Juan  A.  Tostado,  director,  of  mantas  and  yarns, — Adolfo 
Kindt,  wholesale  dealer,  Gustavo  Delius;  general  merchandise, — ^lenchaca 
Hermanos,  Ernesto  Stegemann,  Nicolas  Perez  Gomez.  Sara  Garcia,  Vinda 
de  Leal,  Dolores  E.'^cudero,  Viuda  de  Munoz, Trinidad  Hernandez,  Vicente 
Oastillo,  Prudencio  Robles;  clothing, — Francisco  Anaya  e  hijo,  Manuel 
Pacheco,  Jose  ]\L  Munoz  Ruiz,  Julio  Fueutes,  Alejandro  Santa  Maria; 
Mexican  goods, — Juan  Mardueno.  I\Iariauo  Perez  Torres;  hardware,  no- 
tions, etc., — Federico  Nolte,  Joaquin  Perez  Gomez;  general  merchandise 
and  cigar  manufaclurer,  Jose  Corona;  cigar  manufacturer,  Amado  Fletes; 
■druggists, — Geionimo,  G.  Gonzalez,  Francisco  Gomez  Virgen,  hijo,  Anto- 
nio Ibarra. 

Snn  Bias;  merchants,  general  merchandise  and  cigar  manufacturer  and 
commission, — Juan  Lanzagorta;  general  merchandise  and  commission, 
Manuel  Carpena,  Natividad  Rivera;  general  merchandise,  Abel  Villasen- 
or,  Felix  Uribe;  druggist,  Antonio  Castiila;  commission,  Edniundo  Weber, 

Santiago;  merchants,  manuf'r  of  mantas,  Joaquin  Perez  Gomez;  cloth- 
ing, Federico  Beyer. 

Ahuacatlan;  merchants,  clothing  and  general  mdse., — Emigdio  Ulloa, 
Flavio  Partida,  Flaminio  Ulloa. 

CompoHtela;  merchants,  clothing  and  general  mdse., — Jose  M.Perez  San- 
di,  Vicenti  Pintado. 

Ixtlan;  merchants,  clothing  and  general  mdse., — Enrique  Menchaca, 
Jose  M.  Partida,  Emilio  Cosio. 


Federal  District,  Uij  of  Mexico. 


2eO,000     I3iTI=C.^BITja.2<TTS. 


PRINCIPAL  MERCHANTS, 


Commission.  —  Best  Ricardo,  calle  del  Puente  del  Espiritu  Santo 
numero  7;  Esteinon  Jos(3  P.,  calle  de  Cadena  niimero  4;  Revueltas 
Valentin,  calle  de  San  Agustin  mimero  11;  Arguelles  Eduardo,  calle 
de  Capuchinas  niiuiero  16;  Gonsalez  Guerra  Antonio,  calle  de  Capu- 
chinas  niimero  14;  Horn  Agustin,  calle  de  Capuchinas  numero  9;  Prueba 
R.  de,  calle  de  Cadena  numero  14;  Gandolf  Clemente.  1  f*  calle  de  la 
Monterilla  numero  6;  Gutierrez  M.,  calle  de  Capuchinas  numero  15; 
Claussen  Sucesores,  2  ?*  calle  de  la  Monterilla  numero  6;  Peredo  y  comp. 
Eduardo,  calle  de  Tiburcio  numero  20;  Garcia  L.  C,  calle  de  la  Indepen- 
dencia  niimero  3;  Espejel  M.,  calle  del  Espiritu  Santo  niimero  3;  Beigne 
R.  N.,  calle  de  Tiburcio  numero  7;  Daza  y  Merodio,  calle  de  Don  Juan 
Manue'  numero  1 ;  Santiago  Agustin  de,  calle  de  Don  Juan  Manuel  nii- 
mero 13;  Valle  Ramon  del,  1  J^  calle  de  San  Ramon  niimero  2;  Prado  y 
comp.  C,  Bajos  Porta  Cceli  niimero  1;  Pelaez  Santos,  calle  de  Meleroa 
numero  1;  Torre  Rodolfo,  calle  de  Don  Juan  Manuel  niimero  11;  Sttiier 
y  Aguilar,  calle  de  Don  Juan  Manuel  numero  20;  Carrera  Rafael  I.,  calle 
de  San  Bernardo  niimero  2}^  ;  Reyes,  Vazquez  y  comp.,  calle  de  Don  Juan 
Manuel  numero  9;  Rivero  y  Lazo,  calle  de  San  Bernardo  niimero  10; 
Borbolla  J.,  calle  de  Tacuba  niimero  14;  Delgado  Eusebio,  1  ^  calle  del 
5  de  Mayo;  Goy  Juan,  calle  de  Donceles  niimero  22;  Buenrostro  &  hijos^ 
calle  de  las  Esculerillas  numero  13;  Liiviaur  y  Lara,  calle  de  Cocheras 
numero  22;  Legrand  Manuel,  2  5^  calle  del  5  de  Mayo  numero  13;  Car- 
denas y  comp.,  calle  de  Mecaleros  niimero  4. 

Note  Brokers.— 'Q^&l  Fernando,  calle  del  Espiritu  Santo  letra  6.,  Honig 
Bernardo,  calle  de  San  Andres  numero  17;  Lartundo  Juan,  calle  de  Man- 
rique  niimero  6;  Arellano  Jos6.  2  ?■  calle  de  la  Aduana  Vieja  numero  6; 
Pinzon  Cleofas,  calle  de  las  Inditas  numero  5;  Gutierrez  Manuel,  Puente 
de  San  Pedro  y  San  Pablo  numero  9;  Hernandez  Amado,  calle  del  Cuad- 
rante  de  Santa  Catarina  numero  14;  Serrano  Nicolas,  calle  de!  Empedra- 
dillo;  Espana  N.,  callejon  de  Santa  In6s  numero  73^;  Quiroga  y  comp., 
calle  de  Cardobanes  numero  4;  Dueiias  Juan,  2  ^  calle  del  5  de  Mayo 
niimero  4;  Salgado»Refugio,  Portal  de  Santo  Domingo  numero  5. 

Custom  Hoime  Brokers. — Peredo  y  comp.  Eduardo,  calle  de  Tiburcio  nii- 
mero 20;  Aranzubia  Manuel,  ca'lle  de  Tiburcio  numero  20;  Legrand 
Manuel,  2  ?^  calle  del  5  de  Mayo  numero  7;  Arellano  Jesus  G.,  calle  de 
D.Juan  Manuel  niimero  11;  Enciso  y  Cardeiio,  calle  de  Capuchinas  nii- 
mero 6;  Turlong  y  comp.,  calle  de  Zuleta  numero  22;  Garcia  Mora  E., 
calle  de  D.  Juan  Manuel  numero  21;  Guerrero  J.  M.,  Juan  Manuel  numero 
24;  Kern  Santiago,  Tercet  Orden  de  San  Augustin  numero  4;  Marchand 
A.  N.,  calle  de  Cadena  numero  24;  Romero  Pedro  M.,  2  ?^  calle  de  la  Mon- 
terilla numero  8;  Vazquez  Cirilo,  calle  de  D.  Juan  Manuel  numero  9; 
Sanroman  Tel6sforo,  calle  de  Sau  Agustin  numero  17. 


Vll 

Wholesale,  in  Mexican  and  Foreign  Goods. — Santo  Mafiiizuri  y  comp,  calle 
de  Tacubay  1  ?  de  Santo  Domingo;  Huerta  Manuel,  calle  del  Empedra- 
dillo  niimero  11;  Messer  Agustin,  2  ?*  calle  de  San  Fr^ucisco  numero  4; 
Baxas  Justino,  2  .*  calle  de  San  Francisco  niimero  4;  Viuda  Genin,  2  ?* 
calle  de  Plateros  numero  3;  Villegas  Emilio,  calle  Ancha  y  callejon  de 
San  Antonio;  Gutierrez  y  comp.,  Quintin,  Seminario  esquina;  Torro 
Isidoro  de  la,  1  •*  calle  del  Reloj  numero  8;  Dupeyron  Alejandro,  calle 
del  Coliseo  Viejo  numero  20;  Zepeda  Francisco,  2  ?=  calle  de  San  Francisco 
y  Coliseo;  Noriega  Ignacio  de,  calle  de3  Angel  numero  5;  Noriega  Remi- 
gio,  calle  de  Capuchinas  numero  12;  Clare  y  Hellion,  calle  del  Coliseo 
Viejo  numero  23;  Cortina  Mendoza  M.,  calle  de  Tiburcio  numero  1;  Payro 
Leandro,  calle  de  Don  Juan  Manuel  numero  18;  Guerra  Jos6  T.,  calle  de 
Jesus  Nazareuo  numero  2;  Lavi6  y  comp.,  calle  de  Don  Juan  Manuel 
numero  7;  Rovalo  A.,  calle  del  Puente  de  Jesus  numero  9;  Ponton  her- 
mano,  calle  de  las  Rejiis  de  Balvanera  numero  3 ;  Uhink  y  comp.,  calle  de 
Don  Juan  Manuel  numero  22;  Vidal  Manuel,  esquina  de  la  Joya  y  Jesus; 
Abascal  y  Perez,  calle  del  Puente  del  Correo  Mayor  numero  6. 

Wholesale,  Mexican  Merchandise. — Sevilla  y  Roa,  1  ?^  calle  de  Plateros 
numero  3;  Rodriguez  Feliciano,  calle  del  Puente  de  Palacio  numero  10; 
Nosti  Carlos,  calle  de  San  Bernardo  numero  9;  Arenas  Alejandro,  Rejas 
de  Balvanera  numero  1;  Pelaez  Pedro,  calle  de  Cadena  numero  16;  Por- 
tilla  6  hijos,  calle  de  Capuchinas  numero  13;  Teresa  6  hijos,  calle  de  Lerdo 
numero  6;  Arzamendi  F.,  calle  del  Tercer  Orden  de  San  Agustin  2; 
Suinaga  hermano,  calle  de  Cadena  numero  2U;  Martinez  y  Compafiia,  calle 
del  Angel  numero  2;  Escandon  hermanos,  calle  de  Capuchinas  numero  11; 
Teresa  Nicolas  de,  calle  de  Lerdo  niimero  4. 

Wholesale,  Foreign  Merchandise. — Wexel  yDeGress,  1  ^  calle  de  Plateros 
numero  5;  Delarue  E.,  2  "?  calle  de  Plateros  numero  1;  Jacott  Alfredo, 

1  '?  calle  de  Plateros  numero  4;  Weil  y  Simon,  1  ■?  calle  de  Plateros  nii- 
mero 1;  Richaud  y  Audr^,  calle  del  Empedradiilo  numero  12;  Fortuno 
Leandro,  calle  de  Tacuba  numero  22 ;  Jauretche  y  C  ?* ,  calle  de  Capuchinas 
numero  2;  Cordova  Pedro,  calle  del  Espiritu  Santo  numero  7;  Rio  Jos6 
Maria  del,  calle  de  la  Palma  numero  6;  Bocker  y  C  ?^  Roberto.  Puente  del 
Espiritu  Santo  4;  Jacott  A.,  calle  del  Refugio  numero  19;  Gutheil  y  C  5* , 
calle  de  la  Palma  numero  13;  Lohse  y  C  ?^ ,  calle  de  la  Palma  niimeros  9, 
10  y  11;  Penana  Marcial,  calle  del   Refugio  numero  19;  Brehem  y  C  ?. 

2  ?=  calle  de  la  Monterilla  niimero  3;  Shemidt  y  Borjian,  calle  de  Capu- 
chinas numero  4;  Wissel  y  C  ?^ ,  calle  de  San  Agustin  numero  6;  Bonne 
Struck  y  C  ?^ ,  calle  de  San  Agustin  numero  10;  Bermejillo  hermanos, 
calle  de  Capuchinas  numero  10;  XVaston  Phillips  y  C  ^ ,  Don  Juan  Manuel 
numero  10;  Wattemayer  y  Wincher,  calle  de  San  Agustin  niimero  15; 
Guerin  y  C  ?^ ,  calle  de  Espiritu  Santo  niimero  9;  Jaufired  Ollivier  y  C  ^^ , 
1  ^  calle  de  la  Monterilla  niimeros  5  y  6;  Fandon  Argentin  y  C  ?^ ,  1  ?^ 
calle  de  la  Monterilla  2;  Fourcade  vGuuppil,  1  .-  calle  de  Plateros  nii- 
meros 7  y  8;  Albert  Julio,  1  *  de  la  ^lonterilla  numero  4;  Hubvershon  y 
C  ?,  Esquina  de  la  Monterilla  y  Capuchinas;  Sengstack  y  C  ?,  calle  de 
San  Augustin  numero  7;  Moreno  y  Rover,  Monterilla  y  Capuchinas; 
Gassier  y  Reynaud,  Portal  de  las  Flores  y  Callejuela;  Kieuast  y  C  ? ,  2  ? 
calle  de  la  Monterilla  numero  12;  Ebrard  y  C  ?■ ,  esquina  de  San  Bernardo 
y  Callejuela;  Shults  y  C  ?^ ,  2  ~  de  la  Monterilla  niimero  9;  Levy  y  ]\Iartin, 
calle  de  Don  Juan  Manuel  niimero  23 ;  Aubert  y  C  ?^ ,  Portal  de  las  Flores 
niimeros  3  y4;  Lohse  Santiago,  calle  de  Don  Juan  Manuel  numero  4; 
J.  M.  de  Prida,  calle  de  San  Bernardo  numero  3;  Benecke  sucesores,  calle 
de  Capucliinas  numero  7. 

Wholesale  Druggists. — Wandlen  Wingaert,  calle  del  Puente  del  Espiritu 
Santo;  Mayers,  Friboliu  y  C  ?> ,  calla  de  la  Palma;  Labadi  e  y  Piuson,  3f^ 
calle  de  San  Francisco  niimero  5;  Lozauo  y  V  T- ,  3  ?  calle  de  San  Fran- 
cisco niimero  4;  Fariue  Sanders  y  C  ?*  ,  esquina  de  las  calles  del  Refugio 
y  Lerdo;  Vargas  y  C  f^ ,  calle  del  Espiritu  Santo  numero  3;  Andrade  y 


vm 

Soriano,  calle  de  la  Joya  numero  10;  Bustillos  J.  E.,  calle  de  Tacubo  mi- 
mero  8;  Llano  J.  M.  P.,  calle  de  Manrique  numero  5;  Urblein  y  C  ?^, 
calle  del  Coliseo  numero  3. 

Firearms. — Morel  y  C  ?* ,  calle  del  Refugio  numero  11;  Roche  A.,  calle 
del  Espiritu  Santo  numero  II3;  Wexel  y  De  Gress,  1  f*  calle  de  Plateros 
numero  5;  Sanchez  D.,  calle  cle  Balvanera;  Pagliari  Fernando,  calle  del 
Coliseo  numero  14. 

Bahka. — Banco  de  Londres,  Mexico  y  Sud-Am6rica,  calle  de  Capuchinas; 
Bermejillo  Hermanos,  calle  de  Capuchinas  numero  10;  Martin  Pedro,  calle 
de  Cadena  numero  21;  Banco  Franco — Egipcio;  Banco  Commercial. 

Druggists. — Gonzalez  Julian,  3  '^  calle  del  5  de  Mayo  numero  3;  Kaska 
Francisco,  calle  del  Espiriiu  Santo  numero  114'^  I'iuoco  Francisco,  calle 
de  Guadalupe  numero  9;  Bernal  Francisco,  calle  de  San  Hipolita  numero  7; 
Altamirano  Fernando,  calle  de  Don  Toribio  numero  9;  El  mismo,  calle  de 
la  Aduana  Vieja  mlmero  4;  Loaria  Menores,  1  ?  calle  de  San  Juan  nu- 
mero 10;  Arteaga  Ramon,  2  ?  calle  Ancha  numero  7;  Santoyo  Ramon, 
calle  de  la  Joya  numero  10;  Arteaga  Ramon,  calle  del  Sapo  numero  18; 
Urbina  Manuel,  3  ?*  calla  de  San  Juan  numero  1;  Lares  Manuel,  calle  de 
la  Mariscala  numero  1;  Vertiz  Ricardo,  2  f"  calle  de  las  Damas  numero  5; 
Oropeza  Marcial,  calle  de  Hidalgo  y  Lerdo;  M.  Rio  de  la  Loza,  Hospital 
Real;  El  mismo,  1  ?^  calle  de  Santa  Catariua  numero  4;  El  mismo,  calle 
de  la  Merced  numero  21;  El  mismo,  Puente  del  Fierro  y  Chaneque;  Perez 
Severiano,  1  ?*  calle  de  la  Rivere  de  San  Cosme  numero  1}4\  Aranjo  Jesus, 
calle  de  Manzanares;  Aveleyra  Ramon,  Puente  de  Jesus  numero  8;  Lelo 
de  Larrea  N.,  1  '?  calle  del  Reloj  numero  1;  Bustillos  J.E.,collede  Tacuba 
aumero  7;  El  mismo,  calle  del  Tompeate  niimero  S^^;  El  mismo,  calle 
de  Manrique  y  Canoa;  Lazo  de  la  Vega  J.  M.,  3  T'  calle  del  Reloj  numero  12; 
Patino  y  comp..  Hospital  de  San  Andres;  Coronado  Aguitin,  calle  de 
Olmedo  numero  1;  Gaona  Juan  B.,  Rejas  de  la  Concepcion  numero  6; 
Carmona  y  Valle,  2  ?  calle  de  Santo  Domingo  numero  4;  Garaycoechea 
Angel,  Puente  del  Espiritu  Santo  numero  10;  Cervantes  Silva  A.,  1  ?* 
calle  de  Santo  Domingo  numero  4;  El  mismo,  calle  de  las  Rejas  de  Bal- 
vanera numero  5 ;  El  mismo,  calle  de  Leon  numero  9;  Esnaurxzar  M.,  calle 
de  la  Mariscala  numero  1;  Gonzalez  Francisco,  Bajos  de  Porti  Cceli; 
Iriarte  M.,  Puente  de  Santa  Catarina;  Muycelo  Jos(?,  calle  de  San  Hipolite 
numero  17;  Montes  de  Oca  Francisco,  calle  del  Nino  Perdido  b%\  Patino 
Pomposo,  Plazuela  de  Villamil;  El  mismo,  3  5*  calle  del  Rastro  numero  7; 
Vallejo  Testamentaria  de,  calle  de  Roldan;  Palier  L.,  1  ?*  calle  del  5  de 
Mayo  y  San  Jos6  el  Real;  Guerrero  Agustin,  San  Cosme;  Rio  de  la  Loza 
M.,  calle  de  Santa  Catarina  numero  1;  El  mismos,  Sepulcros  de  Santo 
Domingo  numero  10;  Rio  de  la  Loza  Francisco,  2  5*  calle  de  Vanegas; 
Tinoco  Carlos,  1  ?^  calle  de  San  Francisco  numero  13;  Urueta  Bernardo, 
3  ?^  calle  de  San  Francisco  numero  5;  Noriega  Tomas,  calle  de  la  Alhon- 
diga  numero  5;  Gutierrez  Miguel,  Puente  de  la  Misericordia;  Ramos 
Manuel,  calle  de  Santa  Ana  numero  7. 

Glassware. — Rigal  y  Masson,  Portal  de  Agustinos  numero  1;  Gomez  de 
la  Vega  J.,  1  ^  de  Santo  Domingo;  Hildebrand  y  comp.,  1.'=*  calle  de  Pla- 
teros numero  1;  El  mismo,  calle  del  Empedradillo  numero  4;  Serrano  y 
comp.,  calle  del  Empedradillo;  Pino  Tomas  del.  Portal  de  Agustinos  nii- 
mero 5;  Jiminez  Miguel,  1.=*  calle  de  la  Merced  numero  28;  Martinez  y 
comp.,  Bajos  de  Porta  Coeli  numero  11. 

Furnishing  Goods. — Coblentz  Benito,  2  ?*  de  Plateros  y  Palma;  Tousaint 
Clara,  calle  del  Espiritu  Santo  numero  4;  Coblentz  B.  y  S.,  calle  de  la 
Palma  numero  11;  Sabas  Lorenzo,  calle  de  la  Palma  numero  1;  Carballeda 
Manuel,  calle  del  Coliseo  numera  11;  Andres  Julian,  calle  de  la  Palma 
numero  13;  Iglesias  Francisco,  2. '^  de  San  Francisco  numero  9;  Mangard 
Fernando,  1. '^  calle  de  Santo  Domingo;  Manterola  Angela,  2."*  de  San 
Francisco  numero  7;  Ouvrard  viuda  de,  calle  de  la  Palma  numero  2; 
Sales  L.,  calle  de  la  Palma  numero  1;  Nieto  de  Parra  M.,  calle  de  Tacuba 


uumero  11;  M.  Chauvet,  1."=^  de  la  Monterilla  y  San  Bernardo;  Rubic 
Felipe  C,  Portal  du  la  Aguihi  de  Oro;  Bardet  y  comp.,  callc  del  Coliseo 
numero  25;  Pastor  Concepcion,  2.'^  calle  de  San  Francisco  niunero  VS. 

Clothing. — Ollivier  j' comp,,  1. '^^  calle  de  la  Monterilla  uviineros  5  y  Q; 
Jandon  Argentiu  y  comp.,  1.  ~  calle  de  la  Monterilla  numero  2;  Fourcade 
y  Goupil,  1.  "^  calle  de  Plateros  niimeros  7  y  8;  Gassier  y  Reynaud,  Poital 
de  las  Flores  y  Cailejuela;  Evrard  y  comp.,  San  Bernardo  y  C'aliejuela;  El 
mismo,  1.  °*  de  Monterilla  y  Refugio;  Avibert  y  cmip. ,  Portal  de  las  Flores 
numeros  3  y  4;  Palacio  y  hermanos,  Diputacion  y  Cailejuela;  Signoret 
hermanos,  1.=*  de  la  Monterilla  uumero  8;  Fourdant  y  com.,  1.'==  de  la 
Monterilla  numero  8;  Barreda  y  comp.,  sucesores,  San  Bernardo  numero 
18;  Gomez  y  comp.,  Portal  de  las  Flores  numero  9;  Fernandez  y  Mijarez, 
c:ille  de  Flamencos  numero  3;  Llacuri  y  Ariecliedera  y  comp.,  Portal  de 
las  Flores  uumero  5;  ValdC^s  Antonio,  Purtal  de  las  Flores  numero  2; 
Arroyave  Genoveva,  2.°^  calle  de  Santa  Catarina  numero  11. 

Foreigyi  Excluinge  Brokers. — Barron,  Forbes  y  comp.,  1.^  de  San  Fran- 
cisco numero  9;  1.  R.  Cardeiia  y  comp.,  sucesores,  callejou  de  Betlemitas 
numero  12;  Ortiz  de  la  Huerta  R.,  calle  del  Empedradilo  numero  11; 
Gutheil  y  comp.  A.,  calle  de  Ocampo  numero  1;  Watson,  Pliillips  y  comp., 
calle  de  Don  Juan  Manuel  numero  10;  J.  M.  De  Prida,  calle  de  San  Ber- 
nardo numero  3;  Martinez,  J.  L  ,  companiadel  Ferrocaril  de  M(^xico  a  Vera- 
cruz; Benecke  sucesores,  calle  deCapuchinas  numero  7;  Martin  P.,  calle  de 
Cadena  numero  21 ;  Bermejillo  Hermanos,  calle  de  Capuchinas  numero  10; 
Bonne,  Struck  y  comp.,  calle  de  San  Agustin  numero  10;  Teresa  Nicolas 
de,  calle  del  Lerdo  numero  4;  Ihailez  Manuel,  calle  de  Capuchinas  nuiuero 
23^:  Lascurain  A.,  Tercer  Orden  tie  San  Agustin  numero  5. 

Petroleum  and  Oils. — Arcila  M.,  calle  de  Zuleta  numero  8;  Aguirre  Josfi 
M.,  calle  de  la  Merced  nvimero  19 ;  Diaz  Guadalupe,  Puerta  Falsa  de  Santo 
Domingo  numero  7 ;  Marenco  Miguel,  3. "  calle  del  Relox  numero  6; 
Muiioz  Riva  I.  de,  2.'=*  calle  del  Rastro  numero  3;  Aguirre  y  hermanos, 
Pueute  del  Correo  Mayor  niiiiieros  10  y  11;  Bocanegra  Juan,  Zaragoza 
numero  26;  Rivera  Manuel,  Portillo  de  San  Diego  numero  8;  Campa  N., 
calle  de  Santa  Clara  numero  10;  Robelo  Maria,  calle  del  Puente  Quebrado 
niimero  11. 

aSewing  Machines. — G.  Lohse  y  comp.,  calle  del  Refugio  numero  8 ;  Bocker 
y  comp.,  Puente  del  Espiritu  Santo;  Adams  Francisco,  1.'=^  del  5  de  Mayo 
numero  4;  Gutheil  y  comp,,  calle  del  Refugio  uumero  10. 

Book  Binders. — Vargas  Machuca  C,  2.  '^  calle  del  Relox  numero  3 ;  Vane- 
gas  Antonio,  calle  de  la  Encarnaciou  numero  9;  Arroyo  de  Venegas  A., 
calle  de  la  Perp(?tua  miniero  8^ ;  Calvillo  Jesns,  calle  del  Eaclavo  numero  1 ; 
Tornel  M.,  1.*  calle  de  San  Lorenzo  numero  0;  Sainz  Ricardo,  calle  de 
las  Escallerillas  numero  13;  Castillo  Andres,  calle  de  San  Josi?  el  Real  nii- 
mero 21;  Figueroa  Francisco,  calle  de  San  Agustin  letra  G.  ;  Marcu(j 
Alejandro,  calle  de  Tiburcio  numero  18;  Machuca  Jesus,  calle  de  Medinas 
numero  21;  Freire  Alejandro,  calle  de  la  Moneda  niimero  8;  Galves  Mari- 
ano, 2.  "^  calle  de  San  Lorenzo  niimero  11 ;  Guerra  Mariano,  1.  '^  calle  del 
5  de  Mayo  numero  4;  Guerra  Manuel,  callejon  de  Santa  Clara  numero  10; 
Jara  Celso,  calle  de  Zuleta  niimero  15. 

Piano  Manufacturers  and  Dealers. — Wagner  y  Levien,  calle  de  Zuleta 
niimero  14;  Nagel  sucesores,  calle  de  la  Palma  niimero  5;  Bardet  y  comp., 
calle  de  Cadena  niimero  24-,  Wissemau  Carlos,  calle  de  las  Escalerillas 
numero  6. 

Metnl  Foundries. — Finamori  y  comp.,  calle  de  Tiburcio  inimero  4;  Pas- 
quali  J.  M.,  calle  de  Ortega  numero  11;  Fusco  Antonio,  calle  de  Ortega 
niimero  24;  Brandi  J.,  calle  de  Ortega  numero  17;  Dantan  Luis,  calle  de 
Zuleta  numero  7. 

Manufacturers  of  Brass  Bedsteads. — Linet  Luis,  callejon  del  Rspiritu 
Santo  numero  14;  L(jpez  Antonio,  calle  de  Ortega  niimero  11;  Zapata 
Eutimio,  Puente  del  Correo  Mayor  niimero  5. 


Jewelers. — Dietrich  J.,  calle  del  Empedradillo  numero  4;  Lagarrigue  L., 
Empedradillo  y  Plateros;  Dicimer  R.,  calle  I."'  de  Plateros  numero  1; 
Sclireiberg  y  comp.,  2.'=^  de  San  Francisco  numero  3;  Ducommun  hijo  A., 
2.  "^  calle  de  Plateros  numero  4 ;  Garcia  E.,  2.  "^  calle  de  Plateros  numero  2; 
Llop  Francisco,  calle  Santa  Clara  numero  7;  Muiron  y  comp.,  2.=*  calle 
de  Plateros  numero  11 ;  Sommer  y  comp.,  1.  =*  calle  de  Plateros  numero  11; 
Laz^  German,  2.  =*  calle  de  la  Plateros  uiimero  9;  Harlman  y  comp.,  1,°* 
calle  de  Plateros  numero  14;  Jchofi'er  Martin,  1.'*  calle  de  Plateros  mi- 
mero  11 ;  Bittrofl",  2.  °^  calle  de  Plateros  numero  9 ;  Zivy  hermanos  y  Hauser, 
2."^  de  Plateros  numero  10;  Rotracker  Alfonso,  1.'=*  de  Plateros  numero 
14;  Aldana  Ramon,  calle  del  Coliseo  Viejo  numero  3;  Sobrado  Pedro, 
calle  del  Coliseo  Viejo  uiimero  25;  Quintana  bermano,  calle  del  Coliseo 
Viejo  numero  17;  Saesy  y  Callado,  calle  del  Coliseo  Viejo;  Spaulding, 
calle  de  Cadena  numero  4;  Diaz  Florencio,  2.  '^  calle  de  la  Monterilla  nii- 
mero  10;  Hernandez  Tomas,  3.  °^  calle  de  San  Francisco  numero  6. 

Fancy  Goods,  Notions,  etc. — -Eclieverria  Delorez,  Alcaiceria  numero  22; 
Pivardiferre  A.,  2.  **  calle  de  Plateros  numero  5 ;  Rivero  Luis,  calle  de  San 
Jos6  el  Real  numero  14;  Reynaud  E.,  calle  del  Espiritu  Santo  numero  10; 
Deverdim  H.,  Puente  del  Espiritu  Santo;  Perezcano  L.  G.,  Portal  del 
Aguila  de  Oro. 

Booksellers. — Terrova  Ramon,  calle  de  Flamencos  niimeros  18  y  19; 
Andrade  y  Morales,  Portal  de  Agustinos  numero  13;  Buxo  Juan,  calle  del 
Coliseo  Viejo  numero  25;  Murguia  Eduardo,  calle  del  Coliseo  Viejo  nu- 
mero 2;  Vincourt  Carlos,  calle  del  Espiritu  Santo  numero  5;  Bouret  y 
comp.,  calle  del  Refugio  y  Puente  del  Espiritu  vSanto;  Nicolaye,  calle  de 
Gante  y  San  Francisco;  Chavez  Nabor,  Portal  del  Aguila  de  Oro;  Jeno  J. 
Federico,  calle  de  San  Jos6  el  Real  numero  22;  Dublan  y  comp.,  2.=^  calle 
de  Plateros  numero  4 ;  Bouret  y  comp.,  calle  de  San  Jos6  el  Real  18 ;  Cudin 
A.,  2f^  calle  de  San  Francisco  uiimero  2;  Cueva  Ramon,  calle  del  Semi- 
nario  numero  3 ;  Abadiano  Francisco,  calle  de  las  Escalerillas  numero  7; 
Aguilar  6  Hijos,  J.  M.,  1  '?■  calle  de  Santo  Domingo  numero  5;  Ballesca  y 
comp.,  calle  del  Amor  de  Dios  numero  4. 

Lumber. — Galiudez  Diego,  calle  de  los  Misterios  de  San  Lazaro  numero 
2;  Garcia  y  Vega,  calle  de  Guatimotzin  numero  4;  Landa  Juan  A.,  calle 
de  la  Escobilleria  numero  4;  Palacios  y  comp.,  calle  de  la  Providencia; 
Sanchez  Carlos,  Plazuela  de  Juan  Carbonero;  Bueno  J.  M.,  2  5*  calle  del 
Salto  del  Agua  numero  9;  Valle  de  G.  M.,  1.=*  calle  de  Necatitlan  numero 
1;  Vald(?s  Manuel,  Plazuela  de  Juan  Carbonero  numero  6;  Sanchez  Bar- 
quera  E.,  Plazuela  de  Villamil  numero  4;  Tellez  Antonio,  3.^  calle  de 
Revillagigedo;  Huerta  y  comp.,  calle  del  Mataclero  numero  20;  Hernandez 
y  Arauzabal,  calle  del  Cacahuatal  numero  12;  Guerrero  Manuel,  calle  del 
Matadero  numero  7;  Guerrero  Geronimo,  calle  de  Guatimotzin  numero  16; 
Romero  Francisco,  calle  de  Chaneque  niimero  2}^;  Rio  y  Cantero,  calle 
del  Matedero  numero  11 ;  Fonseca  de  G.  Victoriano,  Plazuela  de  la  Con- 
cepcion  numero  5;  Meza  Nicola?,  calle  de  Cadena  numero  1. 

Fine  Hardware  and  Tools. — Del  Rio  Jos^  Maria,  calle  de  la  Palma;  Fabre 
Julio,  1  "^  calle  de  San  Francisco;  Gagne  y  comp.,  calle  del  Refugio  nu- 
mero 9;  Garcia  Eduardo,  1  ^  calle  de  Santo  Domingo  numero  9;  Tellez 
y  comp.,  1  "^  calle  de  Plateros  numero  17;  Bocker  y  comp.,  Puente  del 
Espiritu  Santo  numero  4:  Gutierrez  Miguel,  Puente  del  Palacio,  numero 
4;  El  mismo,  calle  de  Flamencos  y  Portacceli;  Lefebre  A.,  calle  de  la 
Palma  y  Refugio;  El  mismo,  2  '^.  calle  de  la  Monterilla  y  San  Bernardo; 
Jacot  A.,  calle  de  Tlapaleros  numero  19;  Gutlieil  y  comp.,  calle  de  la 
Palma  mimero  13 ;  El  mismo,  calle  de  Ocampo  numero  I ;  El  mismo,  calle 
de  Flamencos  niimeros  22  y  24;  Lohse  y  comp.,  succsores,  calle  de  la 
Palma  niimeros  9,  10  y  11;  Rivero  Luis,  calle  de  San  Jos(5  el  niim-ero  14; 
Carazo  Luis  C,  2  =*  calle  de  Plateros  numero  2;  Pivardiere  A.,  2  '^  calle 
de  Plateros  uiimero  5;  Uriarte  y  comp.,  calle  del  Empedradillo  niimcro  10; 
Calpini  y  comp.,  3  =?  de  San  Francisco  niimero  5 ;  Joransson  C,  3  "*.  de 


XI 

San  Francisco  numero  4;  Boneru^  Pablo,  caile  del  Refugio  niimero  9; 
Zivy  David,  1  1  calle  de  Plateros  numero  11;  Jougla  y  comp.,  calle  de 
Lerdo  y  Refugio;  Troncoso  y  Silvetti,  calle  del  Refugio  numero  7;  Bizet  y 
comp.,  calle  de  Capuchinas  y  Angel ;  Mondragon  Rafael,  calle  de  Fla- 
mencos numero  4;  Dichl  ycomp.,  calle  de  Flamencos  numero  4;  Izquierdo 
y  Garibay,  calle  de  Meleros  numeros  101  y  4;  Viilanueva  Rafael,  calle  de 
Flamencos  numero  5 ;  Phillips  y  comp. ,  calle  del  Empedradillo ;  El  mismo, 
calle  de  San  Bernardo  y  Flamencos;  Munguia  6  hijos,  calle  de  la  Merced 
numero  7. 

SUver smiths. — Villasenor  Joaquin,  calle  de  San  Jos^  el  Real ;  Aranda 
Francisco,  calle  de  la  Alcaiceria  numero  17;  Velarde  Apolonio,  calle  de 
San  Felipe  Neri  numero  1;  Canas  Pedro,  1.°*  calle  de  Plateros  numero  8; 
Carrillo  Guadalupe,  calle  de  Ortega  numero  9;  Carrillo  Jesus,  calle  del 
Puente  Quebrado  numero  30;  Saldivar  Sostenes,  calle  de  Balvanera  nu- 
mero 18;  Ponton  Antonio,  calle  de  Doncelcs  numero  2;  Nieva  J.,  calle 
de  la  Alcai.jcria  numero  13 ;  Llop  J. ,  calle  de  Santa  Clara  numero  7 ;  Cosio 
Alejandro,  calle  del  Hospicio  San  Nicolas  numero  1;  Cherlin  Jesus,  1."^ 
calle  de  la  Independencia  numero  3. 

Saloons. — Iturbe  Manuel,  esquina  de  Mesones  y  Tompeate;  El  mismo, 
l."^  calle  de  Factory  Sta.  Clara;  El  mismo,  1.'=*  calle  de  Santo  Domingo; 
El  mismo,  Bajos  de  JPorta  Cceli ;  El  mismo,  calle  de  San  Bernardo  numero 
10;  El  mismo,  calle  del  Factor  numero  4;  Torres  Adalid  I.,  2.'^  calle  de 
Santo  Domingo  numero  2 ;  El  mismo,  1.  =*  calle  de  la  Independencia 
numero  3;  El  mismo,  esquina  de  la  calle  de  Leon  y  Dolores;  El  mismo, 
calle  de  Leon;  El  mismo,  esquina  de  San  Juan  de  Letran  6  Indepen- 
dencia; El  mismo,  2."^  calle  de  las  Damas;  El  mismo,  calle  de  Santa 
Clara  numero  18;  El  mismo,  calle  de  Jesus  numero  18;  Saenz  Patri- 
cio, Ex-colegio  del  Seminario;  El  mismo,  calle  de  San  Bernardo  numero  1; 
El  mismo,  calle  de  Tacuba;  El  mismo,  callejon  del  Espiritu  Santo;  El 
mismo,  1.°*  calle  de  las  Damas;  Campero  Manuel,  calle  del  Coliseo  nii- 
mero 4;  El  mismo,  Bajos  de  Porta  Coeli;  Castillo  Manuel  J.,  Bajos  de 
Porta  Co3li ;  El  mismo,  calle  del  Indio  Triste ;  Garnica  Ramon,  calle  de  la 
Alcaiceria;  El  mismo,  esquina  de  San  Andres  y  Factor;  Guadarrama  M., 
callejon  de  las  Delicias  y  calle  Ancha;  Zamudio  J.,  calle  de  la  Aduana 
Viejay  Corchero;  El  mismo,  esquina  de  la  Puerta  Falsa  y  Sepulcros  de 
Santo  Domingo. 

General  Merchandise. — Huerta  A.,  Plazuela  de  Villamil  numero  2;  Oro- 
peza  bemetrio,  esquina  de  Santa  Catarina  y  Estanco  de  Hombres;  Almi- 
raill  F.,  esquina  de  Medinas  y  Santo  Domingo;  Atucha  Casiano,  esquina 
de  Santa  Clara  y  Vergara;  Sordo  Noriega  A.,  esquina  de  San  Lorenzo  y 
Leon;  Casprina  Wenceslao,  esquina  de  la  Pila  Seca  y  Cerca  de  Santo 
Domingo;  Yarto  y  Trueba,  2  ."^  calle  del  Factor  numero  6;  Miirquez 
Isidoro,  esquina  de  la  2  ?  calle  de  la  Amargura  y  Gachupines;  Perez  An- 
tonio, esquiua  de  Tacuba y  Manrique;  Espinosa  y  comp.,  esquina  de  Tacuba 
y  Alcaiceria;  Loidi  liermano,  esquina  del  Aguila  y  Leon;  Sordo  Vicente, 
esquina  del  Jardin  y  Verdeja;  Briz  German,  Espalda  de  San  Lorenzo  y 
Misericordid;  Llano  Cayetano,  esquina  de  las  Papas  y  Estanco  de  Hom- 
bres; Barquin  Vidal,  Puento  de  Santo  Domingo  numero  5;  Llano  Pedro, 
esquina  de  Santa  Catarina  y  Rinconada;  Perez  Francisco  S.,  esquina  de 
Santa  Catarina  y  Estanco  de  Hombres;  Posada  y  Fernandez,  calle  de 
Mecateros  numero  16 ;  Gavito  Manuel,  esquina  de  Tacuba  y  San  JosC;  el 
Real ;  Garcia  Benito,  calle  de  la  Alcaiceria  numero  3 ;  Garcia  Amado, 
calle  de  Santa  Ana  letra  A.;  El  mismo,  calle  de  Santa  Ana  numero  5;  Le- 
canda  Juan,  esquina  de  San  Andr6s  y  Mariscala;  Gutierrez  y  Garcia  A., 
calle  de  Leon  numero  11;  Zaballa  Ignacio,  1.  ■=*  calle  del  Factor  niimero  6; 
Hermosillo  Eduardo,  esquina  de  la  Cazuela  y  Arquillo;  Rozada  M.,  calle 
de  Verdeja;  Posada  y  Fernandez,  Alcaiceria  niimero  5;  Martin  Francisco 
S.,  San  Diego  y  San  Hip6lito;  El  mismo,  Portillo  de  San  Diego;  Mijarea 
y  Urrutia,  Portillo  de  San  Diego;  Mijares  Ramon,  esquina  de  Peredo  y 


Xll 

San  Juan ;  Gutierrez  Federico,  Plazuela  de  San  Juan  -jiumero  2 ;  Gutierrez 
Patricio,  San  Cosme  y  Santa  Maria  de  la  Rivera;  Lopez  Mariano,  esquina 
de  Nueva  Mexico  y  Guadalu])e;  Yarto  Ignacio,  esquina  de  la  Mariscala  y 
Gallos;  Herrcro  Manuel,  calle  del  Nino  Perdido  numero  GJ^;  Balmori  R., 
esquina  del  Santisimo  y  Rebeldes;  Herrero  CristcSbal,  calle  del  Nino  Per- 
dido; Herrera  Agustin,  Plazuela  de  San  Juan  numero  4;  Caso  Ramon, 
esquina  del  Sapo  y  Santisimo;  Ruiz  Antonio,  calle  del  Sapo  numero  18; 
Moreno  Hermenegildo,  calle  del  Jardiu  numero  9;  Fernandez  Santiago, 
esquina  de  la  Estampa  de  San  Lorenzo  y  Misericordia;  Quesada  Dolores, 
Plazuela  del  Jardin  numero  5;  Arias  Agustin,  callejon  de  Dolores  numero 
11 ;  Benet  Jos^,  3.  =*  calle  del  Factor  numero  3 ;  Montes  de  Oca  D.,  Estanco 
de  Hombres  numero  10 ;  Noriega  Remigio,  esquina  de  Plateros  y  Alcai- 
ceria;  Gavito  Domingo,  plazuela  de  Juan  Carbonero  numero  4;  Helguera 
Vidal,  esquina  del  Puente  de  San  Francisco  y  Lopez;  Guazo  Angel,  pla- 
zuela de  Zaragoza  (Angeles);  Noriega  y  comp.,  esquina  de  la  Magnolia  y 
Lerdo;  Ibarra  y  comp.,  Humboldt  numero  3;  Helguera  J.  M.,  esquina  de 
las  calles  Ancha  y  Artes;  Gomez  B.,  esquina  de  Santa  Isabel  y  Puente  de 
San  Francisco;  Abascal  M.,  esquina  de  la  plazuela  de  Madrid  y  San  Juan 
de  Dios;  Ponton  hermanos,  Camarones  numero  18;  Perez  y  Fernandez, 
Hoacalco  y  Pelota;  Mendez  y  Antonio,  esquina  de  las  calles  Ancha  y  Deli- 
cias;  Roqueiia  Adrian,  callejon  de  Dolores  numero  14;  Aldama  Victor, 
calle  de  Alvarado  numero  1;  Pesac  Angela,  callejon  de  Dolores  numero  4; 
Crespo  y  Gandarillas,  calle  de  Lerdo  I. ;  Robina  y  comp.,  San  Bernardo  y 
Callejuela;  Sotres  y  Noriega,  Portal  de  las  Flores  numero  8;  Ortiz  her- 
mano,  Hospital  de  Jesus,  esquina;  Marroquin  Federico,  esquina  del  Puente 
de  JeBus  -y  San  Felipe  de  Jesus ;  Gonzalez  y  Gonzalez,  esquina  de  las  calles 
3.  °^  del  Rastro  y  Cuadrante  de  San  Miguel;  Ortiz  y  comp.,  San  Felipe  de 
Jesus  y  2.  "^  de  la  Aduana;  Sordo  y  comp,  2.  "^  de  la  Aduana  Vieja  y 
Cuadrante  de  San  Miguel ;  Noriega  Alonso,  Puente  de  Jesus  Maria  nu- 
mero?; Solorio  Benito,  calle  del  Consuelo,  esquina;  Enriquez  heimano, 
Puente  del  Fierro  numero  12;  Sanchez  Rivero,  Mercado  Principal  13  y  15; 
Vald<^z  Gabino,  3.  =*  calle  de  Santo  Tomas  y  Plazuela  de  la  Palma;  Baranda 
ycomp.,  Bajos  de  Porta  Cffili,  esquina;  Villalobos  Agustin,  2.  "^de  Manza- 
nares  mimero  8;  Pandal  hermanos,  Meleros  1;  Crespo  Baltazar,  calle  de 
Flamencos  6;  Noriega  y  Santos,  2.  '^  calle  de  Manzanares  12;  Mijares  Man- 
uel, Manzanares  y  Susanillo ;  Fuentes  y  Gutierrez,  1.  '^  calle  de  Manzanares, 
esquina;  El  mismo,  1."^  de  Manzanares  17;  Ortiz  hermano,  Ratas  y  Portal 
deTejada;  Pujon  Juan,  Colegio  de  ninas  y  Coliseo;  Vega  Jos6,  calle  de 
Don  Toribio  6;  Somoano  Remigio,  esquina  de  la  Polilla  y  San  Juan;  Bar- 
cena  Jos6,  calle  de  Don  Toribio  numero  10;  Lopez  Bernardo,  2.'=*  de 
Regina  y  Salto  del  Agua;  Valle  y  Gutierrez,  esquina  de  la  Independencia 
y  Coliseo ;  Posada  y  Ruiz  de  Noriega,  esquina  del  Espiritu  Santo  y  Refugio; 
Hidalgo  Jos6,  calle  de  Alfaro  numero  11;  Gonzalez  Jos6,  calle  del  Puente 
QuebradoS;  Gutierrez  y  Abascal,  calle  del  Coliseo  Viejo  7;  Segura  Guill- 
ermo,  esquina  del  Coliseo  y  Espiritu  Santo;  Alva  Celedonio,  esquina  de 
Gante  y  San  Francisco;  Busto  y  Ortis,  1.'^  calle  de  San  Francisco  numero 
14;  Aparicio  Juan,  3."^  calle  de  San  Juan  y  Vizcainas;  Gonzalez  y  C.  ■=* 
3.''  calle  de  San  Juan  y  Plazuela  de  las  Vizcainas;  Lecunda  Juan,  esquina 
de  Ortega  y  San  Juan;  Sordo  y  Marcos,  1.'^  calle  de  la  Aduana  Vieja; 
Casso  Manuel,  calle  de  la  Palma  nixmero  5;  Crespo  y  Abascal,  esquina  de 
los  portales  de  Mercaderes  y  Agustinos;  Castillo  Jos6  O.,  esquina  de  las 
calles  de  Alfaro  y  Mesones;  S.  Juan  Mariano,  esquina  de  las  calles  del 
Angel  y  Cadena;  Perez  Facundo,  1.=^  de  las  Damas  y  Tiburcio;  Sordo 
Juan,  esquina  de  la  l."*  calle  de  Mesones  y  Regina;  Perez  y  Parheco, 
Puente  de  Monzon  y  San  Geronimo,  esquina;  Sordo  Noriega  M.,  esquiua 
de  Don  Toribio  y  Monserrate;  Carreras  Evaristo,  esquina  de  Zuleta  y  Hos- 
pital Real;  Portillo  hermanos,  esquina  de  la  2.'=*  de  las  Damas  y  Puente 
Quebrado;  El  mismo,  esquina  de  la  1.  =*  de  San  Juan  y  Puente  Quebrado; 
Robina  y  Arenas,  calle  de  Zaragoza  numero  1;  Noriega  Fernando,  esquina 


Xlll 

lie  la  Merced  y  Puente  de  Jesus  Maria;  Noriega  Manuel  S.,  esqnina  de  la 
Universidad  y  Meleros;  Sanchez  y  Feraandez,  Mercado  Principal  62  y 
64;  Sanchez  y  Martinez,  calle  de  Flamencos  10  y  13;  Salcedo  3'  Fernandez, 
calle  de  Porta  Coeli  36  y  38;  Fernandez  y  comp.,  calle  de  Porta  Coeli  39  y 
41;  Ponton  Ramon,  calle  de  Porta  Coeli  1:  (3raris  Jos6,  2.  *  calle  de  la 
Merced  15;  Mijares  Juan,  esquina  de  la  calles  de  Jesus  y  Parque  del 
Conde ;  Flores  Agustin,  Nahuatatlo,  esquiua ;  Mijares  Antonio,  Estampa  de 
Jesus,  esquina;  Cabrales  Jos(i,  San  Jos6  de  Gracia,  esquina;  Noriega 
Santos,  calle  de  las  Gallas,  esquina;  Isla  y  comp.,  calle  de  las  Gallas, 
esquina;  Aceves  Vicloriano,  Puente  de  la  Lena,  esquina;  Ortiz  Juan  O., 
1."  calle  del  Reloj  y  Escalerillas;  Noriega  y  comp.,  2  "^  calle  del  Indio 
Triste  y  Hospicio  de  San  Nicolas ;  Fernandez  Manuel,  esquina  de  Celaya 
y  Puente  de  Santo  Domingo;  Hermosa  Estanislao,  esquina  de  la  Plaza 
de  la  Santisima  y  Maravillas;  Gonzalez  Gaspar,  esquina  de  San  Ildefonso 
y  San  Pedro  y  San  Pablo;  Gonzalez  Candido,  esquina  del  Relox  y  Mon- 
tealegre;  Vadles  Juan,  esquina  de  la  6  °^  del  Reiox  y  Golosas. 

Lawyers. — Aguilar  Jesus  Maria,  Acequia  23;  Azpiroz  Manuel,  Escale- 
rillas 1;  Barros  Jose  Maria,  3  '?  del  Reloj  5;  Becerra  Carlos,  San  Hipolito 
5;  Calva  Estfivan,  Alcaiceria  5;  Castaneda  y  Najera  Vidal,  Cordohanes  15; 
Diaz  Barreiro  P.,  Monzon  7;  Dond6  Rafael,  1  f"  del  Factor  3;  Enriquez 
Gumesindo,  Alcaiceria  17;  Escoto  Joaquin,  Medinas  10;  Hammeken  y 
Mexia  J.,  1  ?  de  la  Independencia  12;  Hidalgo  y  Teran  M.,  Seminario  8, 
Frederic  Hall;  Islas  Gabriel,  Zuleta  16;  Islas  y  Bustamante  Nicolas,  calle- 
jon  de  Santa  In6s  5;  Martinez  del  Rio  P.,  Seminario  5;  Mendez  Luis, 
Hospicio  de  San  Nicolas  4;  Palacio  Antonio  del,  2  f^  de  las  Damas  2; 
Palaclos  Rafael,  2  ?^  de  las  Damas  6;  Salazar  y  Murphy  Joaquin  M., 
Puente  del  Correo  Mayor  5;  Sanchez  Ramon,  Santa  Teresa  8;  Tapia 
Joaquin  C,  Plazuela  de  la  Santisima  1;  Vallarta  Ignacio,  San  Agustin  9; 
Velazco  Ignacio,  Manrique  5. 

Hotels. — Guillow  San  Jos6  el  Real ;  Nacional,  3 '?  calle  de  San  Francisco ; 
Vergara,  calle  de  Vegara;  Comonfort,  calle  de  Cincode  Mayo;  Bazar,  calle 
del  Espiritu  Santo;  Bella  Union,  calle  de  la  Palma  y  Refugio;  Europa, 
calle  del  Coliseo;  Gran  Sociedad,  calle  del  Espiritu  Santo  y  Coliseo; 
Universal,  calle  del  Puente  del  Espiritu  Santo  y  Coliseo;  Havre,  1  ?  calle 
de  la  Independencia;  Iturbide, 2  '^  calle  de  San  Francisco;  Refugio,  calle 
del  Refugio;  San  Agustin,  calle  de  San  Agustin;  San  Carlos,  calle  del 
Coliseo  Viejo;  Tlapaleros,  calle  del  Refugio;  Turco,  calle  del  Coliseo; 
Cuatro  Naciones,  calle  de  Tacuba;  Guadalupe,  calle  del  Parque  del  Conde; 
La  Estrella,  calle  de  Tlapaleros;  Ortega,  calle  del  Ortega;  Cordobanes,. 
calle  de  Cordobanes ;  Escalerillas,  calle  de  las  Escalerillas. 


HAMILTON'S  MEXICAN  LAW 

A   OOMPLBTE   COMPILATION   OF  THE 

LAWS  OF  MEXICO, 

Including  Commercial  Law,  Civil  Law,  Laws  Relating  to  Foreigners, 
and  Mexican  Mining  Law,  with  Annotationsand  Decisions. 

By  LEONIDAS  HAMILTON,  Attorney  at  Law, 

Author  of  "Border  Slates  of  Mexico." 


San  Francisco,  1882:  One  Volume,  8vo.      Law  Binding:  Price,  $6.00. 


This  is  the  first  work  on  Mexican  Law  that  has  been  published  for  nearly  thirty  years, 
and  contains  the  laws  in  force  to-day  in  Mexico,  and  supplies  a  want  greatly  felt  by  the 
Legal  Profession,  Business  Men  and  Mining  Men,  who  have  long  desired  just  such  a  work 
as  is  now  presented — compact,  comprehensive  and  authoritative. 

The  worli  is  divided  into  ten  parts,  as  follows:    • 

Pabt  I.— FOREIGNERS— Rights  of  Foreigners;  Civil  Condition;  Transient  Foreign- 
ers; Domiciled  Foreigners;  as  Local  Inhabitants;  Ownership  of  Real  Estate;  Vacant 
Lands ;  Matriculation ;  Reciprocity  Rights ;  Legalization  of  Signatures,  etc. 

Part  II.— COMMERCIAL  LAW— Commercial  Companies,  Formation,  Rights  and 
Obligations;  Commercial  Contracts,  Bills  of  Exchange,  etc.,  etc. 

Part  III.— CIVIL  LAW— Property,  Real  and  Personal;  Classiflcation;  Sales;  Pre- 
scriptions; Mortgages;  Sales  made  in  fraud  of  Creditors;  Gradation  of  Creditors;  Gen- 
eral Provisions  relating  to  Insolvency ;  Liens;  Rights  of  Husband  and  Wife;  Division  of 
Property;  Donation,  Dower,  etc. ;  Leases;  Inheritance;  Partnership;  Reciprocal  Rights 
and  Obligations  of  Partners;  Rural  Partnership;  Agency  or  Power  of  Attorney;  Corpo- 
rations; Common  Carriers,  etc.;  Registration;  Procedure;  Attachment,  Execution; 
Property  Exempt,  etc,  etc. 

Part  IV.— PATENT  LAW— Forms  of  Patents,  etc. 

Part  V.— LAND  LAWS  AND  WATER  RIGHTS  AND  DECISIONS. 

Part  VI— DENOUNCEMENT  AND  SALE  OF  PUBLIC  LANDS  — Colonization; 
Occupation  and  Alienation  of  Public  Lands;  Foreigners  prohibited  from  denouncing 
Public  Lands  in  the  Frontier  States;  Constitutionality  of  Restrictive  Laws  discussed; 
Procedure  in  acquiring  Public  Lands,  etc. ;  Conflict  of  Federal  and  State  Authorities  as 
to  the  Disposition  of  Public  Lands;  Laws  of  various  States  annulled  by  General  Govern- 
ment; Tariff  of  Prices  of  Public  Lands,  etc. 

Part  VII.— LAWS  RELATING  TO  FOREIGNERS— Rights  of  Foreigners  to  Acquire 
and  Possess  conditionally  Real  Estate;  Under  what  Conditions;  Does  not  apply  to  the 
Border  States;  Confiscation  of  Real  Estate  held  by  Foreigners  absent  from  the  Republic; 
Rights  conceded  to  Foreign  Colonists ;  Matriculation,  etc. 

Part  VIIL— CONSTITUTION  OP  THE  REPUBLIC,  with  Amendments. 

Part  IX.— JURISDICTION,  AMPARO,  TREATIES  AND  DECISIONS— Jurisdic- 
tion of  Federal  and  State  Courts,  etc. 

Part  X.— MEXICAN  MINING  LAW— Complete,  with  Modifications  and  decisions; 
Reorganization  of  Courts  and  Jurisdiction  of  Courts  as  to  Mining  Cases,  etc. ;  Manner  of 
Denouncing,  Holding  and  Working  Mines,  etc.;  Rights  of  Foreigners  to  acquire  Mines ; 
Ai-e  Foreigners  legally  prohibited  from  denouncing  Mines  in  the  Prohibited  Belt  ?  Decision 
of  Minister  Iglesiae  that  Foreigners  may  acquire  Mines  in  all  the  Republic,  etc.,  etc. 


Address  LEONIDAS  HAMILTON,  San   Francisco,  Gal.       Send    no    nnoney    by 

Mail,  but  order  by  Check,  Postal  Order,  or  Express.     No  books  sent 

C.  O.  D.  but  to  responsible  publishing  houses. 


/ 


§lfe  §ltunffa  d  ^lion 


W^'S 


Is^VSP 


TWO  TRAINS  K  HAY  EACH  WAY,  AND 

NO  CHANGE  OF  CARS  OF  ANY  CLASS 

.<  BETWEEN.- 

©H,I©AS©  AEJD  ST.  i,oWlSj  and 

1»T.  £O^IS  A.N©  KAEfSikS  ©l^ir. 


UNION  DEPOTS  in  Chicago,  East  St.  Louis,  St.  Louis  and  Kansas  City. 


No  Other  Line  Runs  Palace  Dining  fefs 

Bet"sween  Chicago  and  Kansas  City,  Chicago  and  St.  Louis,  and  St. 

LoTiis  and  Kansas  City.    Meals  egual  to  those  served  in 

any  first-class  Hotel,  only  75  cents. 

THE  FINEST  PSLSCE  RECLINING  CHfllR  CHRS 

In  the  World  are  run  in  all  Through  Trains,  daj'  and  night, 
without  change,  and  Free  of  Extra  Charge. 

THE  FINEST,  BEST   AND    SAFEST  tN   USE  ANYWHERE. 

THE  BEST  AND  QUICKEST  ROUTE  FROM 

Chicago  to  Memphis,  Mobile,  New  Orleans, 

AND  AT.I.  POINT.S  .SOUTH  VIA  .ST.  LOUIS. 

T.tiE   Short  Line   to    and   frDm   T\/[issDuri,    Arkansas,  Texas, 
Kansas,    Calaradn, 

m  MEXICO,  mmi  NEeeftSKi  cftLiFOBiu,  tic, 

The  Great  Excursion  Route   between   the    North  and  South,  and  to 

and   from    Kansas   Lands  and   Colorado    Health 

Resorts  and  Mining  Districts. 

For  Ti'kets  aud  information,  apply  at  any  Coupon  Ticket  Office  in  the  United  States 
and  Canada,  or  to 

JAiME'S  CH:ARE.TaN,  General  Passenger  and  Ticket  Agent, 

210  Dearborn  St.,  near  cor.  Adams  St.,  CHICAGO,  II.I.. 


IV 


^ohmdo  and  s^alifotiila^^ 

ST.    LOUIS  TO   SAN   FRANCISCO,         -       4  1-2  Days. 
ST.    LOUIS  TO   DENVER,  ...     34   Hours. 


ST  THINK  OF  IT! 


ITHE  .'t^-^. 


Leaving  St.  Louis  Union  Depot,  daily,  at  8.40  P.M.,  makes  direct  connec- 
tion in  Kansas  City  Union  Eepot  -with  the  Fast  Express  Trains  ol 
all  lines  leading  West,  thus  enabling  Passengers  to  re&ch  points 
in   COLORALO    and   CALIFORNIA   within  the   above 
specified  time. 

PULLMAN    PALACE   SLEEPING    CARS 

ARE   RUN   AS  FOLLOWS: 

St.  Louis  to  Kansas  City,  Kansas  City  to  Denver,  Kansas  City  to 
Ogden  via  Denver,  Ogden  to  San  Francisco, 

WITHOUT   CHANCE. 

CALIFORNIA   PASSENGERS   should    not   fail   to   take  ad- 
vantage of  this  Fast  Train  via  Denver. 


IRON  MOUNTAIN  ROUTE, 

PATRONIZE  THE  NEW  NEBRASKA  ROUTE, 

Missattri  3^aciEc  lf.ailurat|, 

FOR  OMAHA   AND  ALL   POINTS  WEST. 


Yisit  tI]E  tianrl  u^  ti[2  jv]antcziimas 

— F')K — 

HEALTH    AND  PLEASURE 

OR  80  ¥0  THE  m^  VEGTig  JIG'F  SPRING^ 

VIA  THE  GREAT  TRANS-CONTINENTAL  LINE,   THE 

BRANCH  ROAD  FROM  LflS  VEGAS  TO  TH  E  SPRINGS.  PASSENGERS 
CARRIED  BY  RAIL  TO  THE  DOORS  OF  THE  HOTEL. 


5  o"E2.   or-^isrE!  ^ 


The  New  Southern  Route 

FUOM 

KANSAS,   COLORADO,    NEW   MEXICO,   OLD   MEXICO, 
OREGON   AND  CALIFORNIA. 

C«  I*  WICKERS  HAM  &  CO., 

232  Lake  Stbeet,  CHICAGO.  ILL.,  U.  S.  A. 

WROUGHT  IRON  PIPE,  LIGHT  T  AND  STREET  RAILS, 

Jailway,  liitiing  and  ||acliiiii?t'5  jlalerials 

FORSYTH  SCALES  AND  TRUCKS. 


SEND  FOR  CATALOGUE, 


FRASER  ^  CHALMERS, 

Fulton  J  Union  Sis.,    -     6H1KA60,  ILL. 


MANUFACTURERS  OF 


Milll  Mining  Machinery 

OF  EVERY    DESCRIPTION. 

Ouartz    Mills,    for   Wet   or   Dry   Crusliinj;.      Roasting   Furnacps.   Stetefeldt. 
Howell's   Improved    Wliite,   and    Bruckner's.      Smelting    Furniices. 
Water  J   ckets,  either  Wrought  or  Cast  Iron,  of  every  des- 
cription.    Concentrators.      Flues,    Improved    Jigs, 
Rittenger  Tables,  Sizers,  Ciu-hing  Rollers, 

1MPR0\/BD  (50RLISS  &  PLAIN  SLIDE-VALYE  MEYER'S  gUT-OFF  EMINES. 

BOILERS  of  evpr>  {mm.  made  of  Pine  Iron  Works  C.  H.  No.  1  Flange  Iron,  or  Otis  Steel 

All  KivL'is  hand  drucLi. 
HOISTING  ENGINES,  all  sizes,  for  Hnii^tinff  and  Pumping  from  the  lowest  depths. 
BABY  IIOISPs.  for  prospecting  4  H.  P.  to  6  H.  P.    Wire  Rope,  Safety  Cages,  Ore  Cars, 

best  in  use. 

SEND  FOR  ESTIMATES   AND  INFORMATION  TO 

FRASER   &   CHALMERS, 

Fultaii  &  Unian  StrsEts,        -  -  -        CHICAG-D,  ILL 


.->l^  *      *  1 


DUFF  PORTER,         -         Editor  and  Business  Manager 


^  5;EpriESEntatiYE  tJxponEnt  oi|  t^E  jV^ining  Indiistiiy. 

S"-2 .t^. ■    ♦    ■ .^0 -^ 

PUBLISHED  EVERY  SATURDAY;    SUBSCRIPTION,  $3.00 


THE   MINING   REVIEW   CO.. 

CHICAGDj   ILL,  .  ->     ^ 


Solicitor  of  Mexican  Patents, 

ROOMS  3  ANn  4    109  WASHINGTON   ST 
Corrcsponacnce  Solicited.  C?"HIQA<3s'0t   J,LI»» 


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University  of  California 

SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 

305  De  Neve  Drive  -  Parking  Lot  17  •  Box  951388 

LOS  ANGELES,  CALIFORNIA  90095-1388 

Return  this  material  to  the  library  from  which  It  was  borrowed. 


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